Electrosurgical probe

A method for treating the tongue base using an electrosurgical probe characterized by the steps:

• providing an electrosurgical probe having:
• a handle and
• at least one shaft
• joined to said handle and
• having at least one electrode
• which forms an electrically conductive outer surface,
• characterized in that
• a bite piece made of a biocompatible and preferably soft material is provided on the outside of the shaft near the handle and that
• the shaft has at least two electrodes offset from each other,
• said electrodes forming an electrically conductive outer surface of said shaft and
• being electrically insulated from each other by an insulator, and
• said bite piece being disposed in the region of the proximal electrode near the handle;
• inserting the tip of the probe shaft into tongue tissue,
• advancing the shaft until the distal end of the single or distal electrode 6 is touching the tongue surface 13 of the tongue base from the inside,
• applying a high-frequency alternating voltage and heating the tongue tissue by means of alternating current such that tissue obliteration occurs, and
• removing the probe.