The effect of adenotonsillectomy on oxygen saturation in children with sleep breathing disorders

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of adenotonsillectomy on the oxygen saturation measures by nocturnal pulse oximetry in children with sleep breathing disorders (SBD).

Methods: A non-controlled clinical trial was performed. Thirty-one children with suspected SBD and a clinical indication for adenotonsillectomy were recruited. All of them underwent overnight oxygen saturation monitoring before and after surgery.

Results: Twenty-seven patients completed the study. The mean age was 5.2+/-1.8 years. Eighteen (66.7%) were male. The most prevalent symptoms were: snoring (100%), respiratory pauses (96.8%), nocturnal mouth breathing (96.8%), restless sleep (80%) and drooling (74.1%). Twenty-three children (85.2%) presented grade 3 or 4 tonsillar hyperplasia. There was a significant improvement in the postoperative oxygen desaturation index (ODI) (0.65; 0.5-1.3) compared with the preoperative index (1.63; 1.1-2.4) (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Adenotonsillectomy improved the oxygen saturation measures by nocturnal pulse oximetry in children with sleep breathing disorders.