Evaluation of Adenotonsillectomy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Using Pre- and Post-Op Polysomnograms

An investigator from the University of New Mexico assessed outcomes in children undergoing adenotonsillectomies for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) using both quality of life measures and polysomnogram assessments.

Children between ages three and 18 years who had clinical evidence of sleep-disordered breathing (snoring, mouth breathing, and witnessed breath holding) and demonstrated OSA on polysomnogram were enrolled in the study.

Objective measures of OSA included an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 5 defined as the number of apneas and hypopneas per hour of sleep, or an obstructive apnea index ≥ 1 defined as the number of apneas per hour of sleep. Patients with craniofacial syndromes, neuromuscular disease, genetic disorders or developmental delay, allergic rhinitis or asthma, or body mass index ≥ 95th percentile were excluded.

All participants underwent full-night attended polysomnogram assessments before and three to six months after surgery. OSA was defined as cessation of airflow through the nose and mouth for at least two respiratory cycles with paradoxical respiratory effort, resulting in either an arousal or oxygen desaturation of at least 4%. …