Sleep Apnea in Children:Tonsillectomy

Snoring and Sleep Apnea in Children:Tonsillectomy
Dr.K.O.Paulose FRCS DLO, Consultant ENT Surgeon, Jubilee Hospital, Trivandrum, Kerala, India

Tonsillectomy for Sleep apnea in Children

Obstructive sleep apnea is common in children who have enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Disturbed sleep and sleep deprivation with subsequent daytime sleepiness and decreased activities are also known effects of OSA in children. It is associated with potentially long-lasting cardiovascular, neurobehavioral, and growth retardation.

Given the fact that the most common cause of OSAS in children is adenotonsillar hypertrophy, Tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy has been widely accepted as the first line of treatment.

The tonsils and adenoids are masses of immune cells commonly found in lymph glands (lymphoid tissue). These tissues are located in the mouth and behind the nasal passages, respectively. Infected or enlarged tonsils may cause chronic or recurrent sore throat, bad breath, dental malocclusion, upper airway obstruction causing difficulty with swallowing, snoring and sleep apnea (OSA). Your doctor may suggest tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy to treat sleep apnea if the child has enlarged tonsils and adenoids that are blocking the airway during sleep.

Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy are surgical procedures performed to remove the tonsils and adenoids. Tonsillectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures performed by any ENT Surgeon.