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

Abstract

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