Radiofrequency is high frequency alternating current used in ablative treatment of tongue base, palate, tonsil, and nasal turbinates in obstructive sleep apnoea. It entails giving high frequency energy to these structures causing ablation, inflammation and subsequent healing with fibrosis. Radiofrequency has many applications in ENT but the main are for obstructive sleep apnoea.
Surgeries for snoring – Snoring is mostly caused by relaxed soft palate tissues. Radiofrequency can be used to contract and stiffen lax tissues, thus eliminating snoring.
Tonsillar hypertrophy – Reduces the size of tonsils without compromising on lymphatic function.
Turbinate hypertrophy – The most common reason for nasal obstruction is mucosal hypertrophy of the inferior turbinate, followed by structural deformity of the nasal airway (septal deviation, bony inferior turbinate hypertrophy). Numerous interventions are available for the treatment of nasal obstruction secondary to inferior turbinate hypertrophy including medical treatments (immunotherapy, antihistamines, intranasal corticosteroid sprays, decongestants) and surgical options (corticosteroid turbinate injections, cryosurgery, electrocautery, turbinate out-fracture, microdebrider-assisted turbinoplasty, excision and submucous resection). The goals of inferior turbinate surgery include volume reduction, a reduction in nasal obstruction, and maintenance of nasal function while minimizing complications. There is currently no consensus on the most effective technique.
Radiofrequency turbinate reduction (RFTR) is a minimally invasive surgical option that can reduce tissue volume in a precise, targeted manner. This technique uses radiofrequency to create lesions within the submucosal tissue of the turbinate, reducing tissue volume with minimal impact on surrounding tissues. Radiofrequency turbinate reduction differs fundamentally from traditional methods by using low-power radiofrequency energy to provide a relatively quick and painless procedure for tissue coagulation.
Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome
Advantages of Radiofrequency Low temperature
Cosmetic results superior