This document addresses nasal surgery for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and includes the use of radiofrequency ablation of nasal turbinates for nasal obstruction with or without the existence of OSA.  Since snoring is one of the most common complaints associated with OSA, this document also addresses these surgical treatments for snoring, in the absence of additional symptoms of OSA. 

Note: For information related to other technologies utilized in the diagnosis and management of sleep-related disorders, please see:

• MED.00002 Diagnosis of Sleep Disorders;
• MED.00054 Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults;
• Clinical UM Guideline CG-DME-32 Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults and Children, and Related Devices for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults
• Clinical UM Guideline CG-MED-01 Polysomnography Studies in Adults and Children;
• Clinical UM Guideline CG-DME-27 Non-invasive Positive Pressure Respiratory Assist Devices (BiPAP^®).

For information related to additional nasal surgical procedures, see SURG.00079 Nasal Valve Suspension.

Not Medically Necessary:

Nasal surgery employing any technique is considered not medically necessary for the treatment of snoring, as snoring, in and of itself, is not considered to be a medical condition or illness requiring treatment. Rather, it may be considered a social nuisance.

Investigational and Not Medically Necessary:

Nasal surgery employing any technique, including nasal valve surgery, septoplasty, turbinectomy, polypectomy and laser or radiofrequency ablation (volumetric tissue reduction) of the nasal turbinates is considered investigational and not medically necessary for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep related breathing disorders.

Radiofrequency ablation (volumetric tissue reduction) of nasal turbinates is considered investigational and not medically necessary for all indications, including, but not limited to, treatment of chronic nasal obstruction due to hypertrophy of the inferior turbinate.

Radiofrequency Ablation for Chronic Nasal Obstruction

The published literature consists of relatively few studies with mostly small numbers of patients. Although most reported subjective improvements in nasal obstructive symptoms following radiofrequency ablation, placebo- controlled groups were not included in most reports, and very few studies reported objective post-procedure measurements, such as nasal resistance. There were conflicting data regarding changes in nasal resistance in the studies that did report on this, some showing improvement, others not. Generally, no long-term outcomes reporting was identified. One small placebo-controlled trial of 32 patients, randomized to radiofrequency ablation of the inferior nasal turbinate versus placebo (sham) treatment, revealed subjective improvement in both groups (a significant placebo effect was noted), but the amount of improvement in the severity of obstruction and overall ability to breathe was better in the treatment group compared with placebo.  No objective measurements were made however, the follow-up period was short (6-months), and the authors concluded that the long-term efficacy is still unclear. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence, Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee (an advisory group to the National Health Service in the UK) stated in September 2003 that the current evidence for the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction for turbinate hypertrophy was inadequate to support its use outside of a research situation. Larger placebo-controlled studies with longer follow-up will be needed to validate the effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation of hypertrophied inferior nasal turbinates for chronic nasal obstruction. An updated search of the published literature currently available yielded little new evidence to support nasal procedures for nasal obstruction.

Nasal Surgery for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Studies suggest stimulation of receptors in the nasal airway improves muscle tone in the oropharynx, and increased nasal resistance results in increased negative intraluminal pressure, causing an increased tendency for the soft tissues of the upper airway (soft palate and pharyngeal walls) to collapse. In addition, nasal obstruction may lead to mouth breathing, and mouth opening, in turn, results in inferior movement of the mandible with associated decrease in pharyngeal diameter. The base of the tongue may also fall backwards reducing the posterior pharyngeal space. The rationale for nasal surgery is to improve nasal patency re-establishing physiological breathing and minimizing oral breathing during sleep; also to reduce nasal resistance and improve the negative intraluminal pressure which generates upper airway collapse.

However, studies have not demonstrated that reducing nasal obstruction and resistance from various causes and using various techniques, (e.g., septoplasty, turbinectomy, polypectomy, radiofrequency ablation of inferior nasal turbinates) correlates with a significant reduction in objective obstructive sleep apnea indicators, such as Apnea-Hypopnea Index or nocturnal oxygen desaturation. Although some case reports have suggested that surgical correction of nasal obstruction may improve subjective daytime complaints in patients with obstructive sleep apnea, studies in general have been flawed by relatively small numbers of patients, the fact that nasal surgery is often performed in association with other surgical procedures, and lack of objective data regarding nasal resistance and obstructive sleep apnea diagnostic variables.

In their June 2003 review article, Chen, W. and Kushida, C.A., concluded that the exact role obstructed nasal breathing plays in the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea type sleep disorders remains presumptive, and robust clinical studies to evaluate the contribution of nasal function remain elusive. More stringently controlled studies are needed. A review by Rappai, M. et al. concluded that, to date, there are no compelling data to demonstrate causality between nasal obstruction and persistent sleep disordered breathing. They point out that most of the studies reviewed in their December 2003 review article are short term, or only examined subjective outcomes to evaluate the effect on sleep disordered breathing. The authors concluded that further studies are needed to prove specific causality.  An updated search of the published literature currently available yielded little new evidence to support nasal procedures for obstructive sleep apnea.

Nasal surgery for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

It has been postulated that increased nasal resistance may contribute to, or be causative in, sleep related breathing disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea. Nasal procedures that have been performed for the treatment of OSA include the following:

• Nasal valve surgery; this involves the slit-like opening formed by the septum, the caudal end of the upper lateral nasal cartilage, the soft tissue overlying the piriform aperture, the floor of the nose, and the head of the inferior turbinate. Loss of stability of the lateral nasal wall with subsequent collapse can occur at the level of the nasal valve and may result from nasal muscle dysfunction, (e.g., from facial nerve palsy) or loss of skeletal support resulting from prior surgery. This collapse may be surgically corrected;
• Septal surgery or septoplasty to straighten and thin a deviated or otherwise abnormal nasal septum (using several different techniques);
• Surgery to correct nasal turbinate hypertrophy or deformity (turbinectomy); this may involve the use of laser or radiofrequency ablation as an alternative to turbinectomy;
• Nasal polypectomy.

Radiofrequency ablation for chronic nasal obstruction with or without OSA

Chronic nasal obstruction, together with increased nasal resistance to airflow, may be associated with inferior nasal turbinate hypertrophy. Some investigators have also postulated that increased nasal resistance may contribute to, or even be causative in, sleep related breathing disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea. Radiofrequency ablation (or volumetric tissue reduction) of the inferior nasal turbinate has been investigated as an alternative to established surgical treatments, such as turbinectomy, submucous resection, or electrocautery, in patients who are not controlled on medical therapy with decongestants, antihistamines, or topical steroids and in whom the nasal obstruction is thought to be caused by inferior nasal turbinate hypertrophy.

The procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis and under local anesthesia. A needle electrode is placed into the anterior inferior turbinate, and radiofrequency energy is delivered. The resultant lesion produces scarring and contraction of soft tissue, thereby reducing the volume of the turbinate and associated obstruction. The "Somnoplasty" system has received FDA approval for volumetric reduction of the nasal turbinates in patients with chronic obstructive congestion.

Chronic: persisting over a long period of time

Nasal turbinates: the scroll-like bony plates with curved margins on the lateral wall of the nasal cavity 

Sleep apnea: temporary stoppage of breathing during sleep, often resulting in daytime sleepiness

The following codes for treatments and procedures applicable to this document are included below for informational purposes.  Inclusion or exclusion of a procedure, diagnosis or device code(s) does not constitute or imply member coverage or provider reimbursement policy.  Please refer to the member's contract benefits in effect at the time of service to determine coverage or non-coverage of these services as it applies to an individual member.

When Services are Not Medically Necessary: 

When services are Investigational and Not Medically Necessary:
For the procedure codes listed above, for the diagnoses listed below; or when the code describes a procedure indicated in the Position Statement section as investigational and not medically necessary.

When services are also Investigational and Not Medically Necessary:

Peer Reviewed Publications:

1. Bäck LJ, et al. Submucosal bipolar radiofrequency thermal ablation of inferior turbinates: a long term follow up with subjective and objective assessment. Laryngoscope. 2002; 112(10):1806-1812.
2. Bäck LJ, Hytonen ML, Roine RP, Malmivaara AV. Radiofrequency ablation treatment of soft palate for patients with snoring: a systematic review of effectiveness and adverse effects. Laryngoscope. 2009; 119(6):1241-1250.
3. Blumen MB, Chalumeau F, Gauthier A, et al. Comparative study of four radiofrequency generators for the treatment of snoring. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2008; 138(3):294-299.
4. Chen W, Kushida, CA. Nasal obstruction in sleep disordered breathing: Review article. Otolaryngolic Clinics of North America. 2003; 36(3):437-460.
5. Friedman M, et al. Effect of improved nasal breathing on obstructive sleep apnea. Otolaryngol.Head Neck Surg. 2000; 122(1):71-74.
6. Friedman M, Lin HC, Gurpinar B, Joseph NJ. Minimally Invasive Single-Stage Multilevel Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome. Laryngoscope. 2007; 117(10):1859-1863.
7. Hytonen ML, Bäck LJ, Malmivaara AO, Roine RP. Radiofrequency thermal ablation for patients with nasal symptoms: a systematic review of effectiveness and complications. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2009; 266(8):1257-1266.
8. Kizilkaya Z, Ceylan K, Emir H, et al. Comparison of radiofrequency tissue volume reduction and submucosal resection with microdebrider in inferior turbinate hypertrophy. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2008; 138(2):176-181.
9. Koutsourelakis I, Georgoulopoulos G, Perraki E, et al. Randomised trial of nasal surgery for fixed nasal obstruction in obstructive sleep apnoea. Eur Respir J. 2008; 31(1):110-117. author reply 246-247.
10. Li HY, Lin Y, Chen NH, et al. Improvement in quality of life after nasal surgery alone for patients with obstructive sleep apnea and nasal obstruction. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2008; 134(4):429-433.
11. Lin H, Friedman M, Chang H, et al. The efficacy of multilevel surgery of the upper airway in adults with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome. Laryngoscope. 2008; 118(5):902-908.
12. Masood A, Phillips B. Radiofrequency ablation for sleep disordered breathing. Current Opinion Pulmonary Medicine. 2001; 7(6):404-406.
13. Mirza N, Lanza DC. The nasal airway and obstructed breathing during sleep. Otolaryngolic Clinics of North America. 1999; 32(2).
14. Neace JM, Radiofrequncy treatment of turbinate hypertrophy, a randomized, blinded, placebo controlled clinical trial. Oto Larygnl Head Neck Surg. 2004; 130(3):291-299.
15. Nelson LM, Barrera JE. High energy single session radiofrequency tongue treatment in obstructive sleep apnea surgery. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2007; 137(6):883-888.
16. Olson EJ, Park JG, Morgenthaler TI.  Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome. Prim Care Clin Office Pract. 2005; 32:329-359.
17. Rappai M, et al. The nose and sleep disordered breathing. What we know and what we do not know. Chest. 2003; 124(6).
18. Rhee CS, et al. Changes of nasal function after temperature-controlled radiofrequency tissue volume reduction for the turbinate. Laryngoscope. 2001; 111(1):153-158.
19. Sher AE, et al. The efficacy of surgical modifications of the upper airway in adults with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. An American Sleep Disorders Review, Sleep. 1995; 18(8):659-666.
20. Singh A, Patel N, Kenyon G, Donaldson G. Is there objective evidence that septal surgery improves nasal airflow? J Laryngol and Otol. 2006; 120:916-920.
21. Steward DL. Effectiveness of multilevel (tongue and palate) radiofrequency tissue ablation for patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Laryngoscope. 2004; 114(12):2073-2084.
22. Stewart MG, Smith TL, Weaver EM, et al.  Outcomes after nasal septoplasty: results from the Nasal Obstruction Septoplasty Effectiveness (NOSE) study.  Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2004; 130(3):283-290.
23. Stuck BA, Sauter A, Hormann K, et al.  Radiofrequency surgery of the soft palate in the treatment of snoring.  A placebo controlled trial.  Sleep. 2005; 28(7):847-850.
24. Troell RJ.  Radiofrequency techniques in the treatment of sleep disordered breathing.  Otolaryngol Clin N Am. 2003; 36:473-493.
25. Verse T, et al. Effect of nasal surgery on sleep-related breathing disorders. Laryngoscope. January 1, 2002; 112(1): 64-68. 

Government Agency, Medical Society, and Other Authoritative Publications:

1. American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head and neck surgery.  Available at:  http://www.entnet.org. Accessed on August 26, 2009.
2. American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).  Practice parameters for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in adults:  The efficacy of surgical modifications of the upper airway.  Standards of Practice Committee of the American Sleep Disorders Association.  Sleep.  1996; 19:152-155.  Available at:  http://www.aasmnet.org/  Accessed on August 26, 2009.
3. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.  TEC Assessment: Radiofrequency Volumetric Reduction of Palatal Tissues and Base of Tongue.  2000; (15). 
4. Bridgman S, Dunn K, Ducharme F.  Surgery for obstructive apnea.  The Cochrane Review.  Issue 3, 2004.
5. ClinicalTrials.gov. Randomized Controlled Trial of TCRFVR and LAUP in snorers.  Completed: March 2004. Last updated Sept. 13, 2005. Available at:  http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00202943.  Accessed on August 26, 2009.
6. Epstein LJ, Kristo D, Strollo PJ, et al. Clinical guideline for the evaluation, management and long-term care of obstructive sleep apnea in adults. J Clin Sleep Med. 2009; 5(3):263-276.  Available at: http://www.aasmnet.org/Resources/ClinicalGuidelines/OSA_Adults.pdf.  Accessed on August 26, 2009.
7. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). Interventional Procedures Consultation Document. Radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction for turbinate hypertrophy. September 2003. Available at: http://www.nice.org.UK/article.asp?a=83802 . Accessed on August 26, 2009.
8. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).  Interventional Procedure Guidance 124.  Radiofrequency ablation of the soft palate for snoring.  London, UK: NICE.  May 2005.  Available at:  www.nice.org.uk.  Accessed on August 26, 2009.
9. Harrill WC, Pillsbury HC, McGuirt WF, Stewart MG. Radiofrequency turbinate reduction: a NOSE evaluation. Laryngoscope. 2007; 117(11):1912-1919.
10. Hayes Inc.  Hayes Medical Technology Directory.  Radiofrequency Tissue Volume Reduction (RFTVR) for the Treatment of Upper Airway Obstruction.  Lansdale, PA: Hayes, Inc; March 30, 2007. Search updated April 4, 2009.
11. Hayes Inc.  Hayes Medical Technology Directory.  Sleep apnea treatment, surgical. Lansdale, PA: Hayes, Inc; September 13, 2005.  Search updated: October 4, 2008.
12. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI).  Health Care guideline:  Diagnosis and Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.  Bloomington, MN:  Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI); Sixth Edition, June 2008.  Available at: http://www.icsi.org/sleep_apnea/sleep_apnea__diagnosis_and_treatment_of_obstructive_.html.
13. Accessed on August 26, 2009.
14. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).  Interventional Procedure guidance 124.  Radiofrequency Ablation of the Soft Palate for Snoring.  London, UK: NICE.  May 2005.  Available at:  www.nice.org.uk.  Accessed on August 26, 2009.

1. American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).  Available at: http://www.aasmnet.org.  Accessed on August 26, 2009.

Nasal Obstruction, Chronic; Radiofrequency Ablation of Nasal Turbinates for
Nasal Turbinate Hypertrophy
Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Nasal Surgery for
Radiofrequency Ablation of Nasal Turbinates
Somnoplasty (Volumetric Tissue Reduction of Nasal Turbinates)
Volumetric Tissue Reduction of Nasal Turbinates