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Adult obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and tonsillectomy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

D. J. Houghton ,
A. E. Camilleri  and
P. Stone
D. J. Houghton*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, University Hospital of South Manchester, NHS Trust, Manchester, UK.
A. E. Camilleri
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, University Hospital of South Manchester, NHS Trust, Manchester, UK.
P. Stone
Affiliation:
Department of the Regional Sleep Laboratory, University Hospital of South Manchester, NHS Trust, Manchester, UK.
*
Address for correspondence: Mr D. J. Houghton, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Prescot Street, Liverpool, L69 3BX.
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Abstract

A surgical cure for adult obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is an attractive alternative to nasal continuous positive airway pressure, but current research suggests that uvulopalatopharyngoplasty is not effective in all patients. No subgroup of these patients, who might benefit from surgery to the oropharynx, has as yet been identified. In this study we examined the results of tonsillectomy either as an isolated procedure or as part of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in seven patients, who had tonsillomegaly. In all seven there was a short-term improvement between the pre-operative and post-operative apnoea/hypoapnoea (A/H) index (100-65 per cent), which could not be accounted for by change in the body mass index (BMI). In one patient a diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was made from histological examination of the tonsils. The results suggest that adult patients with tonsillomegaly may represent a subgroup of patients with OSAS, who would benefit from surgery aimed at the oropharynx.

Keywords

Sleep apnoea syndromeApnoea, obstructiveTonsifiectomy
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 111 , Issue 9 , September 1997 , pp. 829 - 832
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1997

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