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Radiofrequency ablation of the soft palate for snoring

 
Guidance issued
 
IPG Number: IPG124

Summary

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on radiofrequency ablation of the soft palate for snoring.

Description

Snoring is a noisy inspiratory sound produced by vibrations and partial obstruction in the oropharynx. Habitual snoring is not of frivolous importance and can cause domestic disruption. It is a form of sleep disordered breathing, and can lead to disrupted sleep and subsequent daytime tiredness and poor concentration

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the soft palate aims to reduce the volume of the palate tissue and to improve the texture of the remaining palate so that it becomes more dynamically stable. It is usually an outpatient procedure which involves the use of a topical local anaesthetic. Radiofrequency energy (at a variety of frequencies and energy levels) is directed to the palate using an electrode delivery device, commonly to the mid portion of the palate from the uvular base to the posterior nasal spine. In addition two lateral applications are often given at a reduced energy level. The procedure is repeated a number of times if snoring symptoms persist.

OPCS code:

F32.8 Other specified other operations on palate

Y11.4 Radiofrequency controlled thermal destruction of organ NOC

The NHS Classifications Service of NHS Connecting for Health is the central definitive source for clinical coding guidance and determines the coding standards associated with the classifications (OPCS-4 and ICD-10) to be used across the NHS.   The NHS Classifications Service and NICE work collaboratively to ensure the most appropriate classification codes are provided.  www.connectingforhealth.co.uk/clinicalcoding

Details

Arrangement:
Special
Topic area:
Mouth and dental
Surgical procedures
Specialty:
Clinical radiology
Otolaryngology
Specialist advice has been sought from:

British Association of Otorhinolaryngologists, Head and Neck Surgeons

British Association of Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons

Date notified to NICE:
03 March 2004
Provisional consultation date:
January 2005
Guidance issue date:
25 May 2005

Contact details:

Project manager (for general enquiries or comments)
(for general enquiries or comments)
Technical lead
(for procedure specific enquiries or comments)
Steven Barnes
ip@nice.org.uk
Contact Address:

Interventional Procedures Programme
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
MidCity Place
71 High Holborn
London
WC1V 6NA

Links: