Outcomes and quality of life following adenotonsillectomy for sleep-disordered breathing in children.
OBJECTIVE
To summarize current knowledge of the outcome of adenotonsillectomy (T&A) for the treatment of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in children.


RESULTS
The success rate of T&A for SDB as measured on the basis of objective criteria using polysomnography ranges from 79 to 92%. Dramatic improvements in quality of life after T&A for SDB have been shown in a number of studies and these improvements are maintained up to 2 years after surgery. Significant improvements that are maintained in the long term are also seen in behavioral and neurocognitive parameters following T&A for SDB. Not surprisingly, total health care costs are reduced by one third following T&A mostly because of a reduction in upper respiratory tract infections.


CONCLUSIONS
T&A is associated with improvements in polysomnography, behavior and quality of life in children with SDB. Improved health in these children leads to a reduction in health care utilization.
Mitchell
Ron B
RB
Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA. rmitch11@slu.edu
Kelly
James
J
D000233:Adenoidectomy; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome