A Long-Term Follow-up Study for the Treatment of Snoring after Using Patterned Non-Ablative Erbium: YAG 2,940 nm Laser

Abstract

Introduction Laser uvulopalatoplasty is an established operation for the treatment of snoring with good results on a short-term basis, while long-term follow-up studies, in addition to their scarcity, had conflicting results regarding recurrence, the change of snoring quality, and complications. Objective To assess the long-term follow-up results of using nonablative 2,940 nm Erbium: YAG for the treatment of snoring regarding outcomes and recurrence. Methods This 2-year follow-up study was conducted on 76 patients operated upon by non-ablative 2940 nm Erbium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) using a PS01 patterned headpiece. Subjective evaluation of the treatment was performed relying on a smartphone application to record snoring in addition to a questionnaire specially designed to report recurrence and change in the quality of snoring reported by a patient's spouse. The objective evaluation was done by computed tomography (CT) imaging of the soft palate. The patients were evaluated preoperatively, 6 weeks postoperatively and after a 2-year follow-up period. Results Six week after the procedure, there was a significant improvement in 52 patients (68.4%). Out of the 52 patients, only 43 completed the 2-year follow-up; however, 15 of them complained of recurrence. Nevertheless, the patients who suffered from recurrence showed subjective improvement in snoring quality. Conclusions The nonablative mode of Erbium: YAG 2,940 nm laser proved to be efficient in soft palate tightening for the management of snoring. However, there was recurrence in 34.8% of the patients who presented objective and subjective improvement of the complaints, 6 weeks postoperatively and after a 2-year follow-up period.

Novel Therapies for Preventing, Managing and Treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Snoring in Pediatric and Adult Patients

“…The panel reviewed 2 meta-analyses 112,113 and several studies addressing NALT in treating adult OSA or snoring. [114][115][116][117][118][119][120][121][122][123][124] The majority of the studies used Er:YAG 2940-nm laser stimulation. The successful outcomes reported in one of the review articles 113 confounded ablative and nonablative studies as well as animal studies and, therefore, overstated the limited evidence to support NALT.…”

Up‐to‐date data on NightLase laser treatment of snoring for discussion

“…I have considered referenced study numbers, participant numbers and scope of data captured by Neruntarat et al 2 I have also referenced below two subsequent studies by Kassab et al 3 and Pivavet et al 4 as further evidence that NightLase is a safe, effective non-invasive, non-ablative laser treatment for reduction of snoring in primary snorers. NightLase therapy, I understand, has been available in the United States and parts of Europe for about 25 years, and I could not locate via FDA and TGA searches any reports of adverse reactions or side effects.…”