Er:YAG laser for snoring: a systemic review and meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Laser Medicine
• Sleep Medicine

Background:

• Snoring is a common issue impacting sleep quality and partner disturbance.
• Non-surgical treatment options for snoring are continuously being explored.
• Erbium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Er:YAG) laser therapy presents a novel approach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and meta-analyze the efficacy of Er:YAG laser treatment for snoring.
• To evaluate the impact of Er:YAG laser on snoring severity, patient satisfaction, and relevant sleep parameters.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus) from 2000 to 2018.
• Seven studies involving 247 participants treated with Er:YAG laser (2940 nm, long pulse mode) were included in the meta-analysis.
• Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan software, assessing heterogeneity with Cochran's Q and I² statistics.

Main Results:

• Er:YAG laser treatment resulted in a statistically significant reduction in snoring visual analog scale (VAS) scores (MD -6.89).
• Patient satisfaction rates post-treatment were high, averaging 80%.
• While upper airway dimensions showed widening, significant changes in apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and respiratory disturbance index (RDI) were not observed.

Conclusions:

• Er:YAG laser therapy is an effective non-surgical option for reducing snoring severity and enhancing patient satisfaction.
• The treatment appears safe with minimal side effects and good patient tolerance without anesthesia.
• Further high-quality randomized controlled trials with objective data and long-term follow-up are recommended to validate these findings.