Authors' recommendations: CONCLUSIONS Low-quality evidence suggests that uvulopalatopharyngoplasty with tonsillectomy in patients with adequate anatomical characteristics might have clinical benefit in the quality of life and blood pressure. There is low-quality evidence on the use of laser-assisted uvulopalatopharyngoplasty or radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and it is not enough to allow drawing conclusions. Low-quality evidence indicates that radiofrequency ablation might be beneficial as regards subjective measures of simple snoring symptoms, being the evidence lower than that of the other two interventions for this indication. Health technology assessments agree that the evidence is non-conclusive and it does not allow recommending the use of any of these interventions both in obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. However, a significant number of health sponsors, as well as approximately half of the clinical practice guidelines identified agree on considering the use of UPPP mainly in obstructive sleep apnea. In some of the cases, its use is restricted to patients, who are refractory or intolerant to the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). One UK public sponsor considers the use of radiofrequency ablation in patients with simple snoring.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2018

URL for published report: https://www.iecs.org.ar/home-ets/

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Argentina

Organisation Name: Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy

Contact Address: Dr. Emilio Ravignani 2024, Buenos Aires - Argentina, C1414 CABA

Contact Name: info@iecs.org.ar

Contact Email: info@iecs.org.ar

Copyright: Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (IECS)