A novel method for the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea was recently proposed that utilizes laser beam photothermal effects on the mucosa tissue in the oropharynx.
The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of this method using both subjective patients’ assessments and objective polysomnographic measurements of snoring and apnea levels.
Eleven patients were treated at a single center, DKC Dental and Surgery Center in Ljubljana, Slovenia, using a Fotona Fidelis Plus III d laser and the proprietary NightLaseTM protocol. Prior to and post treatment, all patients were submitted to night-long measurements by polysomnograph (Respironics, Alice 5 Diagnostic Sleep System) at the Sleeping Lab of the University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases in Golnik, Slovenia. The second measurement was executed one month after the last treatment session and three months after the first measurement.
Snoring levels were measured by total duration of snoring time (in minutes) while sleep apnea was measured by RDI (Respiratory Disturbance Index). There were many other sleep parameters measured and recorded (like oxygen desaturation, heart beat, leg and body movements, etc.) but were not analyzed in this beginning phase of the study.
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