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.
Keywords
laser - snoring - long term follow-up period
