Effectiveness of Argon Plasma Coagulation of the Inferior Turbinate for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Abstract

Among adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who required nasal continuous positive airway pressure (n-CPAP) ventilation treatment, we performed cauterization of the inferior turbinate by an argon plasma coagulation system^® in 27 patients with hypertrophic rhinitis who complained of nasal obstruction. After the surgery, the nasal resistance decreased significantly from 0.42±0.28 to 0.22±0.13 Pa/cm³/sec (P<0.001). The score for sleepiness in the Japanese version of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (JESS) decreased significantly from 10.6±4.2 to 6.0±3.0 (P<0.001). Furthermore, the nasal surgery improved the adherence to the n-CPAP treatment. Cauterization of the inferior turbinate is a minimally invasive surgery and effective as an adjuvant therapy for n-CPAP.