Objective: To investigate the efficacy of Coblation-channelling for the tongue(CCT) treatment of tongue hypertrophy.
Method: The 31 patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) combining tongue hypertrophy staged as Friedman ll or N were performed CCT after nasal septum surgery, coblation channelling of bilateral inferior turbinate and coblation-assisted UPPP. While the vertical channelling in the base and the body of the tongue, the tilted one parallel side edge and posterior to the tongue were combined. The intraoperative and postoperative complications such as bleeding were observed. The 12 months postoperative follow-up were done by MRI of the tongue.
Result: The retrolingual space were expanded postoperatively. The 2 bleedings occurred immediately after channellings in the tongue body, and they were stopped by local compression. No postoperative tongue paralysis, no tongue hematoma and abscess happened. The tongue sizes changed from preoperative III or IV degree to postoperative I to II degrees. One case received three CCT sessions.
Conclusion: CCT treatment tongue hypertrophy is a individually safe, effective and minimally invasive treatment.