Objectives/hypothesis: To evaluate the efficacy of microdebrider intracapsular tonsillectomy (MT) as a treatment for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and sleep disordered breathing.
Study design: A retrospective study evaluating polysomnogram outcomes for 26 patients who had undergone MT by a sole surgeon (M.G.) for OSA.
Methods: Chart review of patients who underwent polysomnograms pre- and post-adenotonsillectomy. This study represents a single pediatric otolaryngologist's experience at two tertiary care medical centers (Children's Memorial Hospital and Evanston Hospital) in the greater Chicago area.
Results: Statistically significant improvement of both the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and apnea index with P < .0001. All 26 children in the cohort had improved AHI scores following intracapsular tonsillectomy. Statistical analysis was performed using a P value < .05, which was significant.
Conclusions: MT is an effective means of treating obstructive sleep apnea. Because of its favorable surgical outcomes and minimal morbidity, an increasing number of studies have found MT to be an excellent option for the surgical management of adenotonsillar hypertrophy in pediatric patients with OSA.