Lingual tonsillectomy in children with Down syndrome: Is it safe?

Abstract

ObjectiveEvaluate peri-operative course and morbidity in children with Down syndrome (DS) who underwent a lingual tonsillectomy (LT) for residual obstructive sleep apnea (rOSA). MethodsRetrospective case series for children with DS who underwent LT for rOSA from April 2011 to July 2016. Our primary outcomes were length of stay, readmission and complications. Surgical effectiveness was evaluated by change in the obstructive apnea-hypopnea-index(OAHI) and oxygen saturation nadir. ResultsThirty-nine patients underwent LT. The mean length of stay was 1.3 days with n = 21(72%) staying one night. One subject (2.6%) had a post-operative bleed that did not require operative intervention. No other major complications occurred. In terms of effectiveness of surgery, twenty–nine children had sufficient data for inclusion. Median OAHI did not appreciably change (p = 0.07) from before surgery. Five subjects (17%) were cured of OSA (OAHI < 2/hour) and a mix of improvement and worsening was identified. The lowest oxygen saturation improved from 78% (SD = 7) before surgery to 82% (SD = 6) after surgery (p = 0.003). ConclusionLT has a favorable post-operative course but its effectiveness at curing rOSA in the DS population has not been established/proven. Further research is indicated to determine optimal surgical management for DS children with LTH. Level of evidence4.