[Long-term results following tonsillotomy in children].
BACKGROUND
Tonsillotomy is accepted as a safe and effective method for treatment of obstructive sleep-related respiratory disturbances in children. However, the question of inflammatory complications in the remaining tonsillar tissue is still present for long-term progression. Investigations performed with multiple-year observations should contribute to a clarification of the indicative conditions.


METHODS
A total of 181 patients were observed following a tonsillotomy performed with CO(2) laser (age: 4.6 years;+/-1.9 years). Using a standardized questionnaire, 145 patients were evaluated over an observation period of up to 6 years (average 3.0 years) with respect to post-operative complications, as well as subsequent inflammatory illnesses. Of these, 131 patients were evaluated with regard to long-term development of obstructive symptoms.


RESULTS
Within the subsequent observation period no abscess formation occurred, a re-occurrence of tonsillitis was observed in fewer than 3% of the patients. Subsequent bleeding requiring treatment did not occur during the post-operative progress for any of the 145 patients. Obstructive symptoms in the form of snoring, respiratory interruptions, daytime symptoms, or dysphagy could also be significantly reduced (p<0.001) in the long-term. The overall success of the operation was evaluated by 95% of parents as "good" or "very good".


CONCLUSIONS
A CO(2) laser tonsillotomy using for treatment of obstructive tonsil hyperplasy in small children (with consideration of an inflammation-free anamnesis) represents a safe, effective, and low-complication method, also for long-term continued development.
Eisfeld
Wiebke
W
HNO-Praxis, Siegen. wiebke-eisfeld@t-online.de
Amler
S
S
Deitmer
T
T
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D012008:Recurrence; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000601:surgery*; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000209:etiology