Journal of Lasers in Medical Sciences

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Erbium-Doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (Er: YAG, 2940 nm), combined with a long-pulse Nd: YAG laser, in mitigating habitual snoring.
Methods: Thirty patients participated in the single-arm prospective study, receiving approximately 20,000 pulses of the Er: YAG laser directed at the target sites using a patterned beam from the PSO3X handpiece in Long Pulse (LP) mode, followed by long pulse Nd: YAG irradiation of the submental and lateral neck region. Treatments were administered on days 0, 15, and 45. The treatment response was evaluated through subjective methods, including the Snore Outcomes Survey (SOS) and the Spouse/Bed Partner Survey (SBPS). Anatomical enhancement was assessed using the Mallampati classification before each session and nine months subsequent to the final session.
Results: The mean Mallampati class decreased from 3.50±0.68 to 2.43±0.73. Statistically significant alterations were observed in the SOS and SBPS scores, which increased from 47.10±11.34 to 66.22±11.18 and from 44.38±16.22 to 63.11±14.64, respectively. Older age showed a borderline correlation with the Mallampati class, whereas weight and BMI did not; patients with lower baseline SOS scores tended to improve more.
Conclusion: In this single-arm pilot study, the combined Er:YAG and Nd:YAG protocol was well tolerated and associated with improvements in habitual snoring; controlled trials are required to confirm its efficacy in the early management of snoring.