Adenotonsillectomy
TREATMENTS
Adenoidectomy and Tonsillectomy
Adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy are very common operations. While procedure techniques vary widely, very few surgeons systematically suture the tonsillar surgical incisions. Dr. Kasey K. Li advocates suturing the incisions created by tonsillectomy for the following reasons:
- Improving the airway by wound closure
- Reducing pain after surgery
- Reducing the risk of bleeding after surgery
The procedures are performed in a hospital ambulatory surgery center under general anesthesia.
The adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy is approximately one hour in duration.
Expect pain and swelling of the throat and a reduction of food intake for a few days. Bleeding is also a risk with an incidence of approximately 1%. Patients usually return to school in one week.
Pediatric OSA Airway
Before Tonsillectomy
After Tonsillectomy
References:
Li KK, Guilleminault C. Adenotonsillectomy in Sleep-disordered Breathing-What is the Evidence and What are the Implications for Clinical Practice. In: Guilleminault C, editor. International News on Sleep & its Optimized Management. 2006. (In press)
Li KK. Pediatric Sleep Apnea-Current Concept in Management. Sleep Review, 2006.
Guilleminault C, Li KK, Khramtsov A, Pelayo R, Martinez S. Sleep Disordered Breathing in Prepubertal Children: Surgical Outcomes. Laryngoscope; 114:132-137, 2004.
Guilleminault C, Li KK, Quo S, Inouye R. A Prospective Study on the Surgical Outcomes of Children with Sleep Disordered Breathing. Sleep; 27:95-100, 2004.
Guilleminault C, Li KK. Maxillomandibular Expansion by Distraction Osteogenesis for the Treatment of Sleep-Disordered Breathing: Preliminary Results. Laryngoscope; 114:893-896, 2004.