LA&HA - Journal of the Laser and Health Academy
Volume: 2024
| number:
1
ISSN (web): 1855-9921
CASE REPORT: Multidisciplinary Management of Snoring and OSA using the Minimally Invasive NightLase® Er:YAG Laser Treatment in Combination with a Mandibular Advancement Device
Marcela Bisheimer Chemez, Pedro Mayoral Sanz, Špela Levičnik-Höfferle
Pages: onlineFirst
Snoring can significantly impact an individual's quality of life, along with their partner's, causing sleep disturbances that may lead to relationship problems. It is also frequently associated with a potentially life-threatening condition – obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This clinical note presents the findings of a multidisciplinary approach to reducing snoring and improving sleep quality in a patient with loud snoring and moderate non-positional OSA.
The NightLase® laser treatment using Er:YAG LP (long pulse) laser and the Fotona SMOOTH® protocol was used as an initial treatment to reduce the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) and snoring severity, with the subsequent additional introduction of a Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD). The combined treatment decreased the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) from an initial 25.2 (moderate) down to 5.2 (mild) and the snoring score from “severe” (44.6%) to “non-relevant” (2.9%), providing valuable insights into the efficacy and safety of this kind of combined multidisciplinary approach to snoring and OSA treatment.
Key words: Er:YAG, OSA, snoring, NightLase, MAD.