Our Summary

The researchers looked at studies that examined the effectiveness of adenoidectomy, a surgery to remove the adenoids, as a treatment for children who have obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep. They found three studies that included a total of 47 children. The results showed that, on average, the number of times breathing stopped or became very shallow during sleep (the apnoea-hypopnoea index) decreased significantly after surgery. This was especially true for children less than a year old. The lowest levels of oxygen in the blood also improved. However, because there were only a few studies, more research is needed to confirm these results.

FAQs

  1. What is an adenoidectomy and why is it performed on children with obstructive sleep apnea?
  2. What were the key findings from the studies that examined the effectiveness of adenoidectomy?
  3. Is adenoidectomy effective for all ages, or does it have a greater impact on children less than a year old?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about adenoidectomy is to ensure that the child follows all pre-operative and post-operative instructions provided by the medical team. This may include avoiding certain medications, following a specific diet, and taking care of the surgical site to prevent infection. Additionally, it is important for the child to attend all follow-up appointments to monitor their recovery and ensure that the surgery was successful in improving their breathing and sleep quality.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended adenoidectomy are children who have obstructive sleep apnea, especially those who are less than a year old. This surgery may be recommended if other treatments, such as medications or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, have not been effective in improving the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. Adenoidectomy may also be recommended for children who have frequent ear infections, chronic sinusitis, or nasal congestion due to enlarged adenoids. It is important for patients to consult with their healthcare provider to determine if adenoidectomy is the appropriate treatment option for their specific condition.

Timeline

Before adenoidectomy:

  1. Patient experiences symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, such as snoring, breathing pauses during sleep, restless sleep, and daytime tiredness.
  2. Patient undergoes a consultation with an ENT specialist who recommends adenoidectomy as a possible treatment option.
  3. Pre-operative tests and evaluations are conducted to ensure the patient is a suitable candidate for surgery.

After adenoidectomy:

  1. Patient undergoes the adenoidectomy surgery, which typically takes less than an hour and is performed under general anesthesia.
  2. Patient may experience sore throat, nasal congestion, and mild discomfort in the days following surgery.
  3. Recovery period typically lasts about 1-2 weeks, during which time the patient should avoid strenuous activities and follow post-operative care instructions provided by the surgeon.
  4. Patient’s symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea gradually improve as the adenoids are no longer obstructing the airway during sleep.
  5. Follow-up appointments with the surgeon are scheduled to monitor the patient’s progress and ensure proper healing.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What are the potential risks and complications of adenoidectomy?
  2. How long is the recovery period after adenoidectomy?
  3. Will adenoidectomy completely cure my obstructive sleep apnea or are there other treatments I should consider?
  4. What are the expected outcomes of adenoidectomy in terms of improving sleep quality and reducing symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea?
  5. Are there any alternative treatments to adenoidectomy that I should consider?
  6. How many adenoidectomies have you performed and what is your success rate?
  7. How soon after surgery can I expect to see an improvement in my symptoms?
  8. Will I need any follow-up appointments or post-operative care after adenoidectomy?
  9. Are there any lifestyle changes or modifications I should make after adenoidectomy to improve the effectiveness of the surgery?
  10. Are there any long-term implications or risks associated with adenoidectomy that I should be aware of?

Reference

Authors: Reckley LK, Song SA, Chang ET, Cable BB, Certal V, Camacho M. Journal: J Laryngol Otol. 2016 Nov;130(11):990-994. doi: 10.1017/S0022215116008938. Epub 2016 Oct 6. PMID: 27707424