Submucosal minimally invasive lingual excision (SMILE): Technique for tongue base reduction

Submucosal minimally invasive lingual excision is a technique for treating tongue base obstruction in both pediatric and adult patients. Invasive tongue base procedures are mucosal destructive, leading to significant postoperative pain. The submucosal minimally invasive lingual excision (SMILE) technique provides for a mucosal sparing approach while allowing aggressive tissue removal using a plasma-mediated radiofrequency device (coblation) under ultrasonic and endoscopic guidance. Postoperative risks and care are simplified due to the minimally invasive approach.