Pediatric sleep apnea surgery

If enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids are contributing to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), your child's doctor may recommend a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (surgical removal of the tonsils and adenoids). Even when they are not significantly enlarged, removal of the tonsils and adenoids is often helpful and is usually the first step in treating OSA.

In most cases, your child will first undergo a sleep study to confirm the diagnosis and evaluate the severity of his or her OSA.

Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy are very effective in treating OSA, and this is the only treatment needed for most children. Children who are obese or who have certain medical problems or syndromes are more likely to have residual OSA after surgery. Your sleep doctor can help evaluate your child after surgery and determine if any further treatment is needed.

The answer to this question depends on several factors, including your child’s age, symptoms, other medical problems, and the severity of the residual OSA. Some children may be prescribed Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, or CPAP, which is a machine that delivers pressurized air through a mask to help keep the throat and airway open. Other children may be able to be managed with simple medication such as a pill or nasal spray. Your doctor or sleep specialist can discuss with you what the best options are for your child. Rarely, surgery on a child’s palate or tongue may be considered.