Improvement in Snoring and Sleep Apnea after Adenotonsillectomy in Children of 3 To 10 Years of Age

Abstract

Background: Variability is found about the severity of upper airway obstruction ranging from primary snoring to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Adenotonsillectomy (AT) is taken as the primary treatment option.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of Adenotonsillectomy among children having obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur from January 2017 to January 2018. A total of 52 children of both genders, aged 3 to 10 years, having obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and selected for Adenotonsillectomy (AT) were enrolled. Adenotonsillectomy was performed in all the study participants employing general anesthesia. Preoperative and postoperative characteristics as well as respiratory and sleep parameters were compared adopting chi-square test for qualitative variables while t-test was employed for quantitative variables.

Results: Out of a total of 52 children, 32 (61.5%) were male. The majority of the children, 27 (51.9%) were between 3-6 years of age. Statistically significant improvement (p-value < 0.05) was noted at the postoperative interval following AT for obstructive AHI score, respiratory disturbance index, obstructive apnea and hypopnea index, SpO₂ nadir, TSpO₂<90%, and respiratory arousal index. Obstructive AHI score < 1 episode / hour was seen in 37 (71.2%) children while AHI score < 5 episodes / hour were noted in 47 (90.4%).

Conclusion: Adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome improved quality of life and polysomnographic parameters in most of the children.

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