Abstract

Although tonsil and adenoid (T&A) enlargement in children is a leading cause of it, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) may occur at any age. But even after T&A surgery, some children experience recurrent apneic episodes. The reasons for possible recurrence are unclear.To quantify the prevalence of recurrent OSA after T&A surgery and find out a common cause of OSA in children from the neonatal period to adulthood.A retrospective report of apneic patients followed in a tertiary-care center is presented. Telephone interviews of parents were performed 3 years after T&A surgery. The questionnaire included night and day symptoms related to sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). A literature review was performed about associated causes of upper airway stenosis.Out of 59 children who were included to follow up, 5 (8.5%) experienced residual or recurrent symptoms of SDB. The literature suggests the role of skeletal abnormalities in this process through nasal or pharyngeal stenosis. Major craniofacial anomalies are a well-known cause of obstruction. Thickened soft tissue has to be ruled out. Minor stenoses or neuromuscular disorders are less often diagnosed although they seem to be involved as well.A longitudinal follow-up of apneic children is able to reveal recurrence of SDB after adenotonsillectomy and often allows the understanding of mechanisms of upstream-induced recurrent pharyngeal obstructions.

View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ijport.2003.08.009

View details for Web of Science ID 000187789900018

View details for PubMedID 14662182