Adenotonsillotomy versus adenotonsillectomy in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea: A 5-year RCT

Objectives

Adenotonsillectomy (ATE) is a common treatment for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Intracapsular adenotonsillotomy (ATT) is associated with less postoperative morbidity. Our previous randomized controlled trial (RCT) compared ATE and ATT in otherwise healthy children with moderate to severe OSA. No differences in polysomnographic (PSG) and OSA-18 were found between the groups at one-year follow-up. This study presents the long-term results of the RCT.

Methods

Non-obese children (n = 79, 2–6 years) who had undergone either ATE (n = 40) or ATT (n = 39) were offered PSG and OSA-18 questionnaire five-years after surgery. Primary outcome was the group difference in postoperative Obstructive Apnea/Hypopnea Index (OAHI). ATE was recommended to the ATT group if they had a relapse of OSA.

Results

The follow-up was completed by 45 of 79 (57%) children; 28 (35%) drop-outs, and six of 39(15%) in the ATT group were excluded after ATE. After ATE(n = 17), OAHI decreased from mean 12.3(SD 8.0) to 0.6(0.7), and after ATT(n = 28) from 12.6(7.4) to 0.5(0.6), a mean difference in postoperative OAHI of 0.1(95% CI -0.3 – 0.5). Sensitivity analyses did not change the results. The median OSA-18 decreased in the ATE group from 57(interquartile range 47–79) to 27(22–36), and in the ATT group from 67(53–79) to 32(25–44), without group differences for postoperative values.

Conclusion

The results of this five-year follow-up of otherwise healthy OSA-children showed a high drop-out rate, but indicates that ATT could be an effective treatment for pediatric OSA. However, ATT warrants follow-up due to the risk of recurrence, and further studies are needed.