ABSTRACT
Objective To compare the long term effectiveness of tonsillotomy(TT)vs. tonsillectomy (TE)by hypercator in treatment of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS)in children. Methods 119 children with tonsil hypertrophy were diagnosed with OSAHS and included in the study. Among them,57 children underwent TT by hypercator and 62 TE only after preoperative laboratory polysomnography(PSG). All participants were interviewed 5 years after operation to assess the satisfaction of their caregivers,investigate the frequency of respiratory infections,the rate of tonsil regrowth and evaluate their quality of life by Obstructive Sleep Apnea-18(OSA-18). Results Some of them received postoperative PSG. All parents reported alleviation of breathing obstruction,but the postoperative satisfaction in TT group was higher than TE group mainly because of the shorter time return to normal diet. The rate of the respiratory tract infections was not increased in all cases after surgery. Four cases of children were observed with tonsillar regrowth,but no surgery was needed for further treatment. The rate of the dry throat symptoms in TT group was lower than TE group. Conclusions Tonsillotomy by hypercator can effectively eliminate the obstruction symptoms in children with OSAHS,superior to TE for its shorter recovery period and smaller oral mucosal injury and lower rate of tonsils regrowth and it is worth to clinical promotion.