Evaluation of Somnoplasty using Snoring Symptom Inventory

ObjectiveTo assess whether radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction of the palate can improve patients’ snoring symptoms and quality of life.MethodsA prospective cross-sectional study was undertaken. Over an 18-month period, consecutive habitual snorers without sleep apnoea were asked to complete a validated Snoring Symptoms Inventory (SSI) questionnaire before and 3–6 months after radiofrequency surgical treatment. It contained 25 questions on the impact of snoring symptoms, including social, work, physical and emotional aspects. Most patients underwent 2 operations (Somnoplasty® Somnus device) with a 2-month interval. A scale of 0 (no snoring) to 10(extremely loud snoring) was used to assess partners’ perception of the snoring intensity. Paired T-test was used to compare the mean difference in the SSI before and after surgery. Partners’ scores were analysed with Wilcoxon signed ranks test.Results26 patients (19 male, 7 female) aged between 33 and 74 (mean=48) were recruited. Preoperative BMI scores ra...