title: Er:Yag Laser Treatment of Simple Snorers in an Outpatient Setting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Snoring occurs as a result of soft tissue vibration caused by a partial upper airway collapse during sleep. This study evaluated the effectiveness and potential adverse side effects associated with the use of a nonsurgical, erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser treatment for patients with snoring conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 33 patients with different degrees of snoring were analyzed retrospectively. All patients received three NightLase™ Er:YAG laser treatments. Results were measured using a follow-up questionnaire and then statistically analyzed. Any effects that occurred during the first year after treatment (i.e., short-term effects) were followed up with interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Laser treatment effectively reduced patients' snoring and achieved a 65% satisfaction rate after three treatments. The greatest improvement and satisfaction were experienced by patients aged ≥50 years. Patients reported additional benefits from this treatment including easier breathing, higher alertness, and increased focus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nonsurgical Er:YAG laser treatment is an effective and minimally invasive procedure to reduce patient snoring and other sleep-disordered breathing symptoms. Patients reported minimal disadvantages including minor discomfort and a low risk of side effects.
authors.affiliation: ENT Department, Antalya Ataturk State Hospital, Antalya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Erdem Atalay
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Cetinkaya
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Turker
authors.forename: Kemal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kiraz
authors.forename: Hakan Kemal
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Gulkesen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000535:Aluminum / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012913:Snoring / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015019:Yttrium / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: C503779:yttrium-aluminum-garnet; D015019:Yttrium; D000535:Aluminum