Lingual tonsillectomy using coblation

Abstract

Lingual tonsil hypertrophy may cause a lump sensation and sleep disorder. The usefulness of lingual tonsillectomy using coblation has been reported outside of Japan. We report our experience with lingual tonsillectomy using coblation for lingual tonsil hypertrophy and yielding a good postoperative course. A 69-year-old woman with lingual tonsil hypertrophy reporting a “lump” sensation in the throat and snoring underwent conservative treatment without effect. We conducted lingual tonsillectomy using coblation, after which her subjective symptoms decreased. Tongue base excision using coblation can thus be seen as a surgical option in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.