Effects of intraoperative dexmedetomidine with intravenous anesthesia on postoperative emergence agitation/delirium in pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy: A CONSORT-prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial.

PubMed

Cao, Jun-Li; Pei, Yu-Ping; Wei, Jing-Qiu; Zhang, Yue-Ying

2016-12-01

Postoperative emergence agitation/delirium (POED) is a common complication in pediatric surgery patients, which increases the risk of developing postoperative airway obstruction and respiratory depression. This study aims to investigate the safety and efficacy of intraoperative infusion of dexmedetomidine (DEX) and its effects on POED in pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy.Sixty patients scheduled for tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy, aged 2 to 8 years, were randomly allocated into 2 groups (n = 30). Pediatric patients in the group DEX received intravenous (IV) DEX 1 μg/kg over 10 minutes, followed by 0.5 μg/kg/h continuous infusion, and the same volume of 0.9% saline was administrated in the group control. Anesthesia was maintained with target-controlled infusion (TCI) of propofol and remifentanyl. Intraoperative heart rate (HR), noninvasive blood pressure (NIBP), blood oxygen saturation (SPO2), recovery time, and extubation time were recorded. Pain level was evaluated using the objective pain score (OPS), pediatric anesthesia emergence delirium (PAED) scale and Cole 5-point scale (CPS) was used to evaluate POED when patients at 0, 5, 15 minutes, and then at intervals of 15 minutes for 60 minutes after parents arrival at postanesthesia care unit (PACU).The results showed that intraoperative HR was significantly lower in group DEX (P <0.05), mean diastolic and systolic NIBP was not statistically different between groups. Time to wake and time to extubation were lengthened in group DEX as compared with group control (P <0.05). OPS and CPS were lower in group DEX at 15, 30, and 45 minutes time points (P <0.05); however, there were no significantly differences in the PAED score at different time points in the PACU.The present data suggested that intraoperative infusion of dexmedetomidine combined with intravenous anesthetics can provide satisfactory intraoperative conditions for pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy, without adverse hemodynamic effects, though the lower incidence of POED was not observed.

Coblation: improving outcomes for children following adenotonsillectomy.

PubMed

Benninger, Michael; Walner, David

2007-01-01

Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, 2 of the most common childhood surgeries, are performed for a number of indications, the most common being airway obstruction caused by adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Other indications for tonsillectomy include recurrent pharyngotonsillitis, streptococcal carriage, recurrent peritonsillar abscess, halitosis, and presumed neoplasia. Although adenotonsillar surgery is a safe and effective technique for treating disease and obstruction, parents remain concerned about postoperative morbidity, for which the potential is much greater after tonsillectomy than adenoidectomy. Postoperative pain and hemorrhage are 2 unpleasant side effects that can prolong postoperative recovery. Surgeons use a variety of surgical techniques to remove the tonsils and adenoids. When compared with older techniques, such as cold steel dissection and monopolar electrocautery, a new technique named Coblation that uses lower temperatures than electrocautery to remove tonsil tissue and achieve hemostasis, has been shown to reduce pain and decrease postoperative narcotic use, leading to shorter recovery times and a quicker return to normal in children.

Quality of life improvement after pressure equalization tube placement in Down syndrome: A prospective study.

PubMed

Labby, Alex; Mace, Jess C; Buncke, Michelle; MacArthur, Carol J

2016-09-01

To evaluate quality-of-life changes after bilateral pressure equalization tube placement with or without adenoidectomy for the treatment of chronic otitis media with effusion or recurrent acute otitis media in a pediatric Down syndrome population compared to controls. Prospective case-control observational study. The OM Outcome Survey (OMO-22) was administered to both patients with Down syndrome and controls before bilateral tube placement with or without adenoidectomy and at an average of 6-7 months postoperatively. Thirty-one patients with Down syndrome and 34 controls were recruited. Both pre-operative and post-operative between-group and within-group score comparisons were conducted for the Physical, Hearing/Balance, Speech, Emotional, and Social domains of the OMO-22. Both groups experienced improvement of mean symptom scores post-operatively. Patients with Down syndrome reported significant post-operative improvement in mean Physical and Hearing domain item scores while control patients reported significant improvement in Physical, Hearing, and Emotional domain item scores. All four symptom scores in the Speech domain, both pre-operatively and post-operatively, were significantly worse for Down syndrome patients compared to controls (p ≤ 0.008). Surgical placement of pressure equalizing tubes results in significant quality of life improvements in patients with Down syndrome and controls. Problems related to speech and balance are reported at a higher rate and persist despite intervention in the Down syndrome population. It is possible that longer follow up periods and/or more sensitive tools are required to measure speech improvements in the Down syndrome population after pressure equalizing tube placement ± adenoidectomy. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Severe obstructive sleep apnea in a child with osteopetrosis.

PubMed

Carter, M; Stokes, D; Wang, W

1988-02-01

The clinical features of a 5-year-old patient with osteopetrosis and severe obstructive sleep apnea are presented. The patient responded to tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, uvulectomy, and tracheostomy. The tracheostomy was later removed. Osteopetrosis, while rare, may be added to the list of causes of obstructive sleep apnea.

Overuse of preoperative laboratory coagulation testing and ABO blood typing: a French national study.

PubMed

Beloeil, H; Ruchard, D; Drewniak, N; Molliex, S

2017-12-01

Following publication of guidelines on routine preoperative tests, the French Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (SFAR), in association with French national public health insurance, conducted a survey to evaluate adherence to guidelines and the economic consequences. Using the French Hospital Discharge Database and National Health Insurance Information system, tests performed during the 30 days before surgery were analysed for two situations: (1) standard laboratory coagulation tests and ABO blood typing in children able to walk and scheduled for tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy; and (2) ABO blood typing in adults before laparoscopic cholecystectomy, thyroidectomy, lumbar discectomy or breast surgery. Guidelines do not recommend any preoperative tests in these settings. Between 2013 and 2015, a coagulation test was performed in 49% of the 241 017 children who underwent tonsillectomy and 39% of the 133 790 children who underwent adenoidectomy. A similar pattern was observed for ABO blood typing although re-operation rates for bleeding on the first postoperative day were very low (0.12-0.31% for tonsillectomy and 0.01-0.02% for adenoidectomy). Between 2012 and 2015, ABO blood typing was performed in 32-45% of the 1 114 082 patients who underwent one of the four selected procedures. The transfusion rate was very low (0.02-0.31%). The mean cost for the four procedures over the 4 yr period was €5 310 000 (sd €325 000). Standard laboratory coagulation tests and ABO blood typing are still routinely prescribed before surgery and anaesthesia despite current guidelines. This over-prescription represents a high and unnecessary cost, and should therefore be addressed. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Journal of Anaesthesia. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com

Evaluation and management of pediatric nasal obstruction: A survey of practice patterns.

PubMed

Kohlberg, Gavriel D; Stewart, Michael G; Ward, Robert F; April, Max M

2016-07-01

Inferior turbinate (IT) hypertrophy and adenoid hypertrophy are both causes of pediatric nasal obstruction. The purpose of this survey was to study nasal obstruction evaluation and management among pediatric otolaryngologists with respect to IT and adenoid hypertrophy. A questionnaire with embedded clinical videos was sent electronically to American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology members. A total of 435 questionnaires were sent, and 75 were completed. Respondents were presented with scenarios that involved a 7-year-old child with nasal obstruction unresponsive to medical therapy, and the respondents were asked to choose a surgical plan, either IT reduction, adenoidectomy, or combined IT reduction and adenoidectomy. Three questions described the extent of IT and adenoid obstruction in text form, although three questions included a video of the child's nasal endoscopy. In questions with perceived or stated IT hypertrophy, the respondents chose to perform IT reduction significantly more frequently when the perceived or stated adenoid hypertrophy was less severe (p < 0.0001 for video and p = 0.039 for written questions). The decision to perform IT reduction in children is inversely related to the extent of adenoid hypertrophy. Future studies on pediatric IT surgery should include objective descriptions of the IT and adenoid in study subjects.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and growth failure.

PubMed

Esteller, E; Villatoro, J C; Agüero, A; Lopez, R; Matiñó, E; Argemi, J; Girabent-Farrés, M

2018-05-01

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is a common problem among children and is recognized as a cause of significant medical morbidity. Since the 1980s, it has been suggested that obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is a risk factor for growth failure in children. In many cases, it has been shown that growth failure is reversible once the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is resolved. The objectives of this study were to analyze and compare growth failure prevalence in a Mediterranean population of children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and healthy children matched in age and sex, and to assess the effectiveness of tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy in resolving growth retardation. We compared 172 children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (apnea-hypopnea index ≥ 3) who had undergone tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy with 172 healthy controls in terms of key anthropometric parameters. Most of the criteria used for growth failure were higher to a statistically significant degree in the study group vs the control group: height-for-age ≤ 3rd percentile (7.56% vs 2.91%; p = 0.044), weight-for-age ≤ 5th percentile (9.30% vs 2.33%; p = 0.005), weight-for-age ≤ 3rd percentile (8.14% vs 2.33%; p = 0.013) and height and/or weight for-age ≤ 5th percentile (13.95% vs 5.81%; p = 0.009). The height-for-age ≤ 5th percentile was almost at the limit of statistical significance (8.72% for the study group vs 4.65% for the control group; p = 0.097). At one-year post-surgery follow-up, 10 of 15 children with height-for-age ≤ 5th percentile had achieved catch-up growth (66.6%), and 14 of 24 children with height- and/or weight-for-age ≤ 5th percentile had normalized growth (58.33%). For children with failure to thrive or who have growth failure, physicians should consider the possibility of obstructive sleep apnea. A significant number of children with obstructive sleep apnea concurrent with growth failure could benefit from tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy to recover and normalize their growth rate. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Granistron and dexamethasone provide more improved prevention of postoperative emesis than granisetron alone in children.

PubMed

Fujii, Y; Tanaka, H; Toyooka, H

1996-12-01

Dexamethasone decreases chemotherapy-induced emesis when added to antiemetic regimens. This study was designed to compare the effectiveness of granisetron and dexamethasone with granisetron alone in the prevention of post-operative vomiting after strabismus repair, tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy in children. In a randomized, double-blind study, 60 healthy children, 4-10 yr of age, received either granisetron 40 micrograms.kg-1 and saline (Group S) or granisetron 40 micrograms.kg-1 and dexamethasone 4 mg (Group D) iv immediately after the induction of anaesthesia. All subjects received anaesthetics consisting of sevoflurane and nitrous oxide in oxygen Postoperative pain was treated with acetaminophen pr or pentazocine iv. Postoperatively, during the first 24 hr after anaesthesia, the frequencies of retching and vomiting, and the incidence of adverse events were recorded by nursing staff. There were no differences between the treatment groups with regard to demographics, surgical procedure, anaesthetic administered or analgesics used for postoperative pain. The frequency of the symptoms was 27% and 7% in Groups S and D, respectively (P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse events was comparable in the two groups. The prophylactic administration of granisetron and dexamethasone was more effective than granisetron alone in the prevention of postoperative vomiting in paediatric subjects undergoing strabismus repair, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.

The adenoid as a key factor in upper airway infections.

PubMed

van Cauwenberge, P B; Bellussi, L; Maw, A R; Paradise, J L; Solow, B

1995-06-01

The adenoids (and the nasopharynx) play a key role in the normal functioning and in various pathologies of the upper respiratory tract. In this paper the role of adenoidal pathology and the beneficial effect of adenoidectomy in some upper respiratory tract and facial anomalies and diseases are discussed; otitis media with effusion, recurrent acute otitis media, sinusitis, snoring and sleep apnea and abnormal patterns in the midface growth and development.

The effect of intraoperative dexmedetomidine on postoperative analgesia and sedation in pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.

PubMed

Olutoye, Olutoyin A; Glover, Chris D; Diefenderfer, John W; McGilberry, Michael; Wyatt, Matthew M; Larrier, Deidre R; Friedman, Ellen M; Watcha, Mehernoor F

2010-08-01

The immediate postoperative period after tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, one of the most common pediatric surgical procedures, is often difficult. These children frequently have severe pain but postoperative airway edema along with increased sensitivity to the respiratory-depressant effects of opioids may result in obstructive symptoms and hypoxemia. Opioid consumption may be reduced by nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, but these drugs may be associated with increased bleeding after this operation. Dexmedetomidine has mild analgesic properties, causes sedation without respiratory depression, and does not have an effect on coagulation. We designed a prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled study to determine the effects of intraoperative dexmedetomidine on postoperative recovery including pain, sedation, and hemodynamics in pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. One hundred nine patients were randomized to receive a single intraoperative dose of dexmedetomidine 0.75 microg/kg, dexmedetomidine 1 microg/kg, morphine 50 microg/kg, or morphine 100 microg/kg over 10 minutes after endotracheal intubation. There were no significant differences among the 4 groups in patient demographics, ASA physical status, postoperative opioid requirements, sedation scores, duration of oxygen supplementation in the postanesthetic care unit, and time to discharge readiness. The median time to first postoperative rescue analgesic was similar in patients receiving dexmedetomidine 1 microg/kg and morphine 100 microg/kg, but significantly longer compared with patients receiving dexmedetomidine 0.75 microg/kg or morphine 50 microg/kg (P < 0.01). In addition, the number of patients requiring >1 rescue analgesic dose was significantly higher in the dexmedetomidine 0.75 microg/kg group compared with the dexmedetomidine 1 microg/kg and morphine 100 microg/kg groups, but not the morphine 50 microg/kg group. Patients receiving dexmedetomidine had significantly slower heart rates in the first 30 minutes after surgery compared with those receiving morphine (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in sedation scores among the groups. The total postoperative rescue opioid requirements were similar in tonsillectomy patients receiving intraoperative dexmedetomidine or morphine. However, the use of dexmedetomidine 1 microg/kg and morphine 100 microg/kg had the advantages of an increased time to first analgesic and a reduced need for additional rescue analgesia doses, without increasing discharge times.

Adenoid Reservoir for Pathogenic Biofilm Bacteria▿

PubMed Central

Nistico, L.; Kreft, R.; Gieseke, A.; Coticchia, J. M.; Burrows, A.; Khampang, P.; Liu, Y.; Kerschner, J. E.; Post, J. C.; Lonergan, S.; Sampath, R.; Hu, F. Z.; Ehrlich, G. D.; Stoodley, P.; Hall-Stoodley, L.

2011-01-01

Biofilms of pathogenic bacteria are present on the middle ear mucosa of children with chronic otitis media (COM) and may contribute to the persistence of pathogens and the recalcitrance of COM to antibiotic treatment. Controlled studies indicate that adenoidectomy is effective in the treatment of COM, suggesting that the adenoids may act as a reservoir for COM pathogens. To investigate the bacterial community in the adenoid, samples were obtained from 35 children undergoing adenoidectomy for chronic OM or obstructive sleep apnea. We used a novel, culture-independent molecular diagnostic methodology, followed by confocal microscopy, to investigate the in situ distribution and organization of pathogens in the adenoids to determine whether pathogenic bacteria exhibited criteria characteristic of biofilms. The Ibis T5000 Universal Biosensor System was used to interrogate the extent of the microbial diversity within adenoid biopsy specimens. Using a suite of 16 broad-range bacterial primers, we demonstrated that adenoids from both diagnostic groups were colonized with polymicrobial biofilms. Haemophilus influenzae was present in more adenoids from the COM group (P = 0.005), but there was no significant difference between the two patient groups for Streptococcus pneumoniae or Staphylococcus aureus. Fluorescence in situ hybridization, lectin binding, and the use of antibodies specific for host epithelial cells demonstrated that pathogens were aggregated, surrounded by a carbohydrate matrix, and localized on and within the epithelial cell surface, which is consistent with criteria for bacterial biofilms. PMID:21307211

The Effect of Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy on Right Ventricle Function and Pulmonary Artery Pressure by Using Doppler Echocardiography in Children.

PubMed

Acar, Onur Çağlar; Üner, Abdurrahman; Garça, Mehmet Fatih; Ece, İbrahim; Epçaçan, Serdar; Turan, Mahfuz; Kalkan, Ferhat

2016-06-01

The purpose of the present study is to emphasize the efficacy of the myocardial performance index and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) in the determination of impaired cardiac functions and recovery period following the treatment in children with adenoid and/or tonsillar hypertrophy. Fifty-three healthy children after routine laboratory, imaging and clinical examinations, with adenoid and/or tonsillar hypertrophy were evaluated before and 3 months after adenotonsillectomy for cardiac functions using M mode and Doppler echocardiography. The mean age of cases was 6.4±3.0 years, 34 (65%) were male, and 19 (35%) were female. Pulmonary hypertension was observed to be mild in 3 patients and moderate in 1 patient preoperatively. When the preoperative and postoperative echocardiographic measurements of the patients were compared, the tricuspid valve E wave velocity, the E/A ratio (E, early diastolic flow rate; A, late diastolic flow rate), and the TAPSE values were determined to be significantly higher postoperatively (P<0.05). The tricuspid valve deceleration time, the isovolumetric relaxation time and the systolic pulmonary artery pressure were found to be significantly lower compared to the preoperative values (P<0.05). Adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy may prevent cardiac dysfunctions that can develop in the later periods due to adenoid and/or tonsil hypertrophy in children, before the appearance of the clinical findings of cardiac failure.

Nasopharyngeal radium irradiation: The lessons of history.

PubMed

Graamans, Kees

2017-02-01

In the Netherlands, nasopharyngeal radium irradiation was started in 1945. The indications included refractory symptoms of otitis media with effusion and other adenoid-related disorders after adenoidectomy. It was considered a safe and effective therapy. Its use decreased sharply in 1958, following a worldwide media avalanche around the dramatic events in the treatment of a 5-year-old child in Utrecht, enhancing the widespread fear of radioactivity. This case history illustrates the powerful role of the media in medical decision-making. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Role of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux in Complications of Tonsillectomy in Pediatric Patients.

PubMed

Salturk, Ziya; Kumral, Tolgar Lutfi; Arslanoglu, Ahmet; Aydogdu, Imran; Yildirim, Guven; Berkiten, Guler; Uyar, Yavuz

2017-09-01

Tonsillectomy and tonsillectomy with adenoidectomy are among the most common surgical procedures in otolaryngology practice. Gastroesophageal reflux was identified as a risk factor for complications in tonsillectomy. This prospective study was designed to assess the role of reflux in the development of complications following tonsillectomy in pediatric patients. Children (n = 60) who underwent tonsillectomy with adenoidectomy were divided into two groups, i.e., the laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) group and control group. Patients with LPR were identified by reflux symptom index and reflux finding score. Pain, hemorrhage, fever, nausea, vomiting, fever, dehydration, infection, and pulmonary problems were evaluated post operatively. The mean lengths of hospital stay were 2.11 days in the reflux group and 1.05 days in the control group. The difference was statistically significant. Visual analogue scores of both groups were similar on day 1 but it was significantly higher on day 7 and 14 in LPR group. Nausea and vomiting rates were 11.1 and 9.5 % for the patients in the LPR group and the controls, respectively. The difference between the two groups was not significant. The mean fever was 37.6 °C in the reflux group and 37.3 °C in the controls, which were not significantly different. 19 % of the controls and 22 % of the LPR group patients were readmitted. This difference was not statistically significant. There were two cases of bleeding in the reflux group, while no bleeding occurred in the control group. This difference was significant statistically. LPR is a risk factor for complications following tonsillectomy.

Uvulectomy to prevent throat infections.

PubMed

Hartley, B E; Rowe-Jones, J

1994-01-01

It is common practice in many parts of Africa for traditional healers to remove the uvula to prevent infections and other disorders associated with the throat. We report two cases of children presenting with recurrent tonsillitis. On examination both children showed complete absence of the uvula and prominent tonsils. It was later revealed that they both had undergone uvulectomy, performed by traditional healers in Eritrea. We report this because this practice, although commonly performed, is little known to otolaryngologists practising outside Africa. In addition, although velopharyngeal competence seems to be maintained after uvulectomy, it may theoretically be at risk if adenoidectomy is performed in these patients.

Drug-induced sedation endoscopy in children <2 years with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: upper airway findings and treatment outcomes.

PubMed

Boudewyns, A; Van de Heyning, P; Verhulst, S

2017-05-01

Few data are available about the pattern of upper airway (UA) obstruction in children <2 years with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Also, the role of adenoidectomy versus adenotonsillectomy (AT) is poorly defined in this age group. We performed drug-induced sedation endoscopy (DISE) in young OSAS children to investigate the pattern of UA obstruction and the value of DISE in therapeutic decision making. Retrospective analysis of ≤2-year-old children undergoing DISE-directed UA surgery. OSAS severity and the treatment outcomes were documented by polysomnography. Data are available for 28 patients, age 1.5 years (1.3-1.8), BMI-z score 0.5 (-0.7 to 1.3) with severe OSAS, obstructive apnea/hypopnea index (oAHI) 13.8/hr (7.5-28.3). All but 3 had (>50%) obstruction at the level of the adenoids, and all but 5 had (>50%) tonsillar obstruction. DISE-directed treatment consisted of adenoidectomy (n = 4), tonsillectomy (n = 1), and AT (n = 23). There was a significant improvement in respiratory parameters. Twenty children (71.4%) had a postoperative oAHI <2/hr. None had palatal or tongue base obstruction. Five children had a circumferential UA narrowing (hypotonia), 2 of them had residual OSAS. DISE showed a collapse of the epiglottis in 6 and late-onset laryngomalacia in 4. These findings did not affect surgical outcome. Adenotonsillar hypertrophy is the major cause of UA obstruction, and DISE-directed UA surgery was curative in 71,4% of children ≤2 years. We suggest that DISE may be helpful in surgical decision making. Circumferential UA narrowing may result in less favorable surgical outcomes.

Pediatric Price Transparency: Still Opaque With Opportunities for Improvement.

PubMed

Faherty, Laura J; Wong, Charlene A; Feingold, Jordyn; Li, Joan; Town, Robert; Fieldston, Evan; Werner, Rachel M

2017-10-01

Price transparency is gaining importance as families' portion of health care costs rise. We describe (1) online price transparency data for pediatric care on children's hospital Web sites and state-based price transparency Web sites, and (2) the consumer experience of obtaining an out-of-pocket estimate from children's hospitals for a common procedure. From 2015 to 2016, we audited 45 children's hospital Web sites and 38 state-based price transparency Web sites, describing availability and characteristics of health care prices and personalized cost estimate tools. Using secret shopper methodology, we called children's hospitals and submitted online estimate requests posing as a self-paying family requesting an out-of-pocket estimate for a tonsillectomy-adenoidectomy. Eight children's hospital Web sites (18%) listed prices. Twelve (27%) provided personalized cost estimate tool (online form n = 5 and/or phone number n = 9). All 9 hospitals with a phone number for estimates provided the estimated patient liability for a tonsillectomy-adenoidectomy (mean $6008, range $2622-$9840). Of the remaining 36 hospitals without a dedicated price estimate phone number, 21 (58%) provided estimates (mean $7144, range $1200-$15 360). Two of 4 hospitals with online forms provided estimates. Fifteen (39%) state-based Web sites distinguished between prices for pediatric and adult care. One had a personalized cost estimate tool. Meaningful prices for pediatric care were not widely available online through children's hospital or state-based price transparency Web sites. A phone line or online form for price estimates were effective strategies for hospitals to provide out-of-pocket price information. Opportunities exist to improve pediatric price transparency. Copyright © 2017 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

[Detection of human papillomavirus in the upper respiratory tract in children without recurrent respiratory papillomatosis].

PubMed

Sun, Yue-feng; Wu, Yi-dong; Wu, Lei; Jiang, Juan-juan; Gao, Rong; Xu, Bin; Chen, Xiao-wei; Zhao, Zheng-yan

2012-12-01

The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy specimens from pediatric patients without juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (JORRP), so as to understand the effect of HPV infection in the upper respiratory tract in children. Two hundred and forty-one pediatric patients without known JORRP or other HPV-related diseases undergoing tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy for hypertrophy or chronic tonsillitis were enrolled in this prospective study. One hundred and seventy-seven fresh samples of tonsillar tissues and 195 samples of adenoid tissues were collected and then examined for the presence of HPV DNA with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique and typing. Laryngeal papilloma specimens from 17 patients obtained during routine debulking procedures were also analyzed and served as positive controls. All 17 papilloma specimens were positive for HPV DNA and the type was 6 or 11. This result confirmed that the methods used were valid for detecting HPV infection. HPV DNA was detected in 2 of the 177 tonsillar specimens and zero of the 195 adenoid specimens. The two positive samples were confirmed with typing. One was positive for HPV6 and the other for HPV11. Review of the medical records of these two cases confirmed that there were no history of HPV-related diseases. Histologic analysis of their specimens showed lymphoid hyperplasia, no specific changes suggesting HPV infection and no signs of malignancy. The HPV infection rate in upper respiratory tract was 0.8% (2/241). There is HPV infection in upper respiratory tract in Chinese children without JORRP, but maybe is not sufficient for the formation of JORRP.

Preferred parental method of post-operative tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy follow-up (phone call vs. clinic visit).

PubMed

Anderson, Martin E; Brancazio, Brianna; Mehta, Deepak K; Georg, Matthew; Choi, Sukgi S; Jabbour, Noel

2017-01-01

Tonsillectomy is the second most common procedure performed in the United States. Over 530,000 tonsillectomies are performed on children under 15 years of age in the United States, accounting for 16% of surgeries in this age group, resulting in missed school for patients of school-age and also resulting in missed work for caregivers. This study compared parent preferences for in-clinic follow-up (CFU) to telephone interview follow-up (TFU) after tonsillectomy. One hundred twenty-one parents of children who underwent a tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy were recruited to complete a survey about their child's post-operative visit. Statistical analyses were performed using t-test, Wilcoxon rank-sum, and Fischer's exact tests where appropriate. 60.3% of the surveys were completed as a TFU and the remainder were completed as a CFU. There were no statistical differences in the children's age, the time to follow-up, satisfaction with their follow-up, or the frequency of unresolved symptoms. Of parents receiving TFU, 91.8% disagreed they would have preferred a CFU, with 86.3% strongly disagreeing, and only 5.5% expressing that they would have preferred a CFU. Of the parents with CFU, 47.9% expressed a preference for a TFU. For CFU, 43.9% of parents missed work and 58.1% of their school-age children missed school. Our study results indicate that parents receiving phone follow-up strongly preferred this method to an in-clinic follow-up, and that nearly half of all parents receiving in-clinic follow-up would have preferred a telephone follow-up. In select patients, telephone follow-up after tonsillectomy may increase patient satisfaction and decrease days of missed work and school. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Role of pepsin and pepsinogen: linking laryngopharyngeal reflux with otitis media with effusion in children.

PubMed

Luo, Hua-Nan; Yang, Qi-Mei; Sheng, Ying; Wang, Zheng-Hui; Zhang, Qing; Yan, Jing; Hou, Jin; Zhu, Kang; Cheng, Ying; Wang, Bo-Tao; Xu, Ying-Long; Zhang, Xiang-Hong; Ren, Xiao-Yong; Xu, Min

2014-07-01

To analyze the relationship between laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) represented by pepsin and pepsinogen, and pathogenesis of otitis media with effusion (OME). Prospective case-control study. Children with OME who required adenoidectomy and tympanostomy/tympanostomy tubes placement were enrolled in OME group, whereas children with adenoid hypertrophy (AH) who required adenoidectomy and individuals who required cochlear implantation (CI) were enrolled in AH and CI groups, respectively. Pepsinogen mRNA and protein levels were assessed by real-time fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry in adenoid specimens from the OME and AH groups. Pepsin and pepsinogen concentrations were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in middle ear fluid and plasma from the OME and CI groups. The levels of pepsinogen protein expressed in cytoplasm of epithelial cells and clearance under epithelial cells in adenoid specimens from the OME group were significantly higher than those in the AH group. Furthermore, the concentrations of pepsin and pepsinogen in the OME group were 51.93±11.58 ng/mL and 728±342.6 ng/mL, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the CI group (P<.001). In addition, the concentrations of pepsin in dry ears were significantly lower than those in serous and mucus ears in the OME group (F=22.77, P<.001).Finally, the concentration of pepsinogen in middle ear effusion was positively correlated with the expression intensity of pepsinogen protein in cytoplasm of epithelial cells (r=0.73, P<.05) in the OME group. Pepsin and pepsinogen in middle ear effusion are probably caused by LPR and may be involved in the pathogenesis of OME. 3b. © 2013 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.

A role for Waldeyer's ring in immunological response to allergens.

PubMed

Masieri, Simonetta; Trabattoni, Daria; Incorvaia, Cristoforo; De Luca, Maria Cristina; Dell'Albani, Ilaria; Leo, Gualtiero; Frati, Franco

2014-02-01

Adenoids, tubal tonsil, palatine tonsil, and lingual tonsil are immunological organs included in the Waldeyer's ring, the basic function of which is the antibody production to common environmental antigens. Adenoidal hypertrophy (AH) is a major medical issue in children, and adenoidectomy is still the most used treatment worldwide. The response of adenoids to allergens is a good model to evaluate their immunological function. This report assessed the immunological changes in adenoid tissues from children with allergic rhinitis (AR) undergoing sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). Adenoid samples from 16 children (seven males, nine females, mean age 7.12 years) with AH and clinical indication to adenoidectomy were collected. Of them, five children were not allergic and 11 had house dust mite and grass pollen-induced AR. Among allergic children, in four AR was treated by antihistamines while in seven AR was treated by high-dose SLIT during 4-6 months. The evaluation addressed the T helper 1 (Th1), Th2, and Th3 cells by performing a PCR array on mRNA extracted from adenoid samples. In non-allergic children, a typical Th1 pattern was found. SLIT induced a strong down-regulation of genes involved in Th2 and Th1 activation and function. In particular, in SLIT-treated allergic children IL-4, CCR2, CCR3, and PTGDR2 (Th2 related genes) and CD28, IL-2, and INHA (Th1 related genes) expression was reduced, compared with children treated with antihistamines. These preliminary findings warrant investigation in trials including larger numbers of patients, but indicate that hypertrophic adenoids of allergic children have the typical response to the specific allergen administered by SLIT. This should suggest that one should reconsider the immunological role of adenoids.

Acoustic and perceptual aspects of vocal function in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy--effects of surgery.

PubMed

Lundeborg, Inger; Hultcrantz, Elisabeth; Ericsson, Elisabeth; McAllister, Anita

2012-07-01

To evaluate outcome of two types of tonsil surgery (tonsillectomy [TE]+adenoidectomy or tonsillotomy [TT]+adenoidectomy) on vocal function perceptually and acoustically. Sixty-seven children, aged 50-65 months, on waiting list for tonsil surgery were randomized to TE (n=33) or TT (n=34). Fifty-seven age- and gender-matched healthy preschool children were controls. Twenty-eight of them, aged 48-59 months, served as control group before surgery, and 29, aged 60-71 months, served as control group after surgery. Before surgery and 6 months postoperatively, the children were recorded producing three sustained vowels (/ɑ/, /u/, and /i/) and 14 words. The control groups were recorded only once. Three trained speech and language pathologists performed the perceptual analysis using visual analog scale for eight voice quality parameters. Acoustic analysis from sustained vowels included average fundamental frequency, jitter percent, shimmer percent, noise-to-harmonic ratio, and the center frequencies of formants 1-3. Before surgery, the children were rated to have more hyponasality and compressed/throaty voice (P<0.05) and lower mean pitch (P<0.01) in comparison to the control group. They also had higher perturbation measures and lower frequencies of the second and third formants. After surgery, there were no differences perceptually. Perturbation measures decreased but were still higher compared with those of control group (P<0.05). Differences in formant frequencies for /i/ and /u/ remained. No differences were found between the two surgical methods. Voice quality is affected perceptually and acoustically by adenotonsillar hypertrophy. After surgery, the voice is perceptually normalized but acoustic differences remain. Outcome was equal for both surgical methods. Copyright © 2012 The Voice Foundation. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Clinical Factors Associated with PANDAS

PubMed Central

Murphy, Tanya K.; Storch, Eric A.; Lewin, Adam B.; Edge, Paula J.; Goodman, Wayne K.

2011-01-01

Objective To explore associated clinical factors in children with pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcus (PANDAS). Study design Children with tics and/or OCD (n = 109) were examined by personal and family history, diagnostic interview, physical examination, medical record review, and measurement of baseline levels of streptococcal antibodies. Results Significant group differences were found on several variables, such that those diagnosed with PANDAS (versus without PANDAS) were more likely to have had dramatic onset; definite remissions; remission of neuropsychiatric symptoms during antibiotic therapy; a history of tonsillectomies/adenoidectomies; evidence of GAS infection, and clumsiness. Conclusion The identification of clinical features associated with PANDAS should assist in delineating risks for this subtype of OCD/tics. PMID:21868033

Novel use of tissue expander for dilation of oropharyngeal stenosis.

PubMed

Banerjee, Debdeep; Wang, James C; Demke, Joshua C

2014-11-01

Naso/oropharyngeal stenoses are uncommon surgical complications. We present a child having undergone previous adenoidectomy without complication who developed naso/oropharyngeal scarring after subsequent tonsillectomy. She presented with nasal obstruction and frequent gasping at night worrisome for obstructive sleep apnea. Scar was initially excised and the defect allografted. Conventional esophageal dilators were undersized, and ultimately a tissue expander was used intraoperatively as a balloon dilator. The patient's symptoms and sleep apnea resolved. We found use of a tissue expander as a balloon dilator to be at least minimally effective in dilating the oropharynx when all other methods at our disposal proved ineffective. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

The effectiveness of a storybook in lessening anxiety in children undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy in Northern Ireland.

PubMed

Tunney, Anne Marie; Boore, Jennifer

2013-12-01

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a storybook, entitled, The Tale of Woody's Tonsils, written by Anne Marie Tunney, on reducing the level of anxiety of children aged 5-11 years who were undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy in one hospital in Northern Ireland. BACKGROUND/LITERATURE REVIEW: Psychological preparation of children for surgery impacts coping. There is evidence, in both adult and pediatric studies, that effective psychological preparation for a surgical procedure has an impact on the individuals' coping ability with reduced levels of anxiety leading to better post-operative outcome, faster recovery and a reduction in long term sequelae associated with admission to hospital. A storybook, as a method of preparation, has been recommended by a number of researchers but the effectiveness of this in reducing anxiety has not yet been investigated in the UK. Previous studies have mainly used only one research instrument for anxiety measurement and child self-report is not a commonly used feature of such research. A quasi-experimental study involving 80 children was conducted using a repeated measures design. Children attending a pre-assessment clinic were randomly allocated to either an experimental group (received the storybook) or a control group (did not get the storybook). Anxiety was tested both pre- and post-intervention using a self-report Hospital Fears Rating Scale and Child Drawing: Hospital, a projective technique based on children's drawings. The storybook was found to be effective in reducing pre-operative anxiety and was found to be particularly effective for females and in the 7-year-old age group. Practice Implications; This study demonstrates the storybook's effectiveness for alleviating anxiety and advocates the use of child focused anxiety measurement tools. It reinforces the need for pre assessment to include exploration of anxiety triggers so that preoperative preparation and nursing care can be individualized for each child.

The adenoid: Its history and a cautionary tale.

PubMed

Ruben, Robert J

2017-06-01

The existence of the adenoid first appears to have been noted by Conrad Victor Schneider in 1661. James Yearsley reported in 1842 one case in which he improved hearing by removal of a mucus membrane from behind the uvula, which indicates some appreciation of a relationship of the nasopharynx to ear disease. Hans Wilhelm Meyer, in 1868, was the first to demonstrate the relationship of the adenoid to ear disease and to develop an effective, although somewhat difficult, surgical operation to remove the adenoid. Removal of the adenoid became rapidly accepted worldwide as a treatment for many morbidities, including otitis, speech problems, cognitive problems, and sleep apnea. Until the 1920s, adenoidectomy often was performed as a staged procedure and without general anesthesia. Early tools and techniques included use of the bare fingernail, a finger ring knife, a curette, and electrical desiccation. From the mid-1930s to the early 1960s, radiation therapy of the adenoid was in extensive use, both for children and in caring for army aviators and navy submarine crews during WWII. The effectiveness of surgical adenoidectomy for hearing loss led to a belief that radiation, which had been found to ablate lymphoid tissue, would be equally effective, and led to the wide-spread use of radiation. Ultimately, 500 thousand to 2.5 million children and adults were estimated to have been treated with radiation, and follow-up studies found increased risk for cancer. Furthermore, a follow-up study by Stacey R. Guild (1890-1966), published in 1950, on a very large sample of children who previously were reported to have had their hearing loss diminished through radiation, found that irradiation had produced no effect on high-tone loss. Thus, irradiation was both useless and harmful. Acceptance of authority, which can lurk within medical culture, led to the development of a tragically misguided management of adenoid disease. Laryngoscope, 127:S13-S28, 2017. © 2017 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.

Clinical factors associated with pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections.

PubMed

Murphy, Tanya K; Storch, Eric A; Lewin, Adam B; Edge, Paula J; Goodman, Wayne K

2012-02-01

To explore associated clinical factors in children with pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS). Children with tics, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or both (n=109) were examined with personal and family history, diagnostic interview, physical examination, medical record review, and measurement of baseline levels of streptococcal antibodies. Significant group differences were found on several variables, such that children in whom PANDAS (versus without PANDAS) were more likely to have had dramatic onset, definite remissions, remission of neuropsychiatric symptoms during antibiotic therapy, a history of tonsillectomies/adenoidectomies, evidence of group A streptococcal infection, and clumsiness. The identification of clinical features associated with PANDAS should assist in delineating risks for this subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder/tics. Copyright © 2012 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy in Children with Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders: Consensus Statement of a UK Multidisciplinary Working Party

PubMed Central

Robb, PJ; Bew, S; Kubba, H; Murphy, N; Primhak, R; Rollin, A-M; Tremlett, M

2009-01-01

During 2008, ENT-UK received a number of professional enquiries from colleagues about the management of children with upper airway obstruction and uncomplicated obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). These children with sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBDs) are usually referred to paediatricians and ENT surgeons. In some district general hospitals, (DGHs) where paediatric intensive care (PICU) facilities to ventilate children were not available, paediatrician and anaesthetist colleagues were expressing concern about children with a clinical diagnosis of OSA having routine tonsillectomy, with or without adenoidectomy. As BAPO President, I was asked by the ENT-UK President, Professor Richard Ramsden, to investigate the issues and rapidly develop a working consensus statement to support safe but local treatment of these children. The Royal Colleges of Anaesthetists and Paediatrics and Child Health and the Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists nominated expert members from both secondary and tertiary care to contribute and develop a consensus statement based on the limited evidence base available. Our terms of reference were to produce a statement that was brief, with a limited number of references, to inform decision-making at the present time. With patient safety as the first priority, the working party wished to support practice that facilitated referral to a tertiary centre of those children who could be expected, on clinical assessment alone, potentially to require PICU facilities. In contrast, the majority of children who could be safely managed in a secondary care setting should be managed closer to home in a DGH. BAPO, ENT-UK, APA, RCS-CSF and RCoA have endorsed the consensus statement; the RCPCH has no mechanism for endorsing consensus statements, but the RCPCH Clinical Effectiveness Committee reviewed the statement, concluding it was a ‘concise, accurate and helpful document’. The consensus statement is an interim working tool, based on level-five evidence. It is intended as the starting point to catalyze further development towards a fully structured, evidence-based guideline; to this end, feedback and comment are welcomed. This and the constructive feedback from APA and RCPCH will be incorporated into a future guideline proposal. PMID:19622257

Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy in children with sleep-related breathing disorders: consensus statement of a UK multidisciplinary working party.

PubMed

Robb, P J; Bew, S; Kubba, H; Murphy, N; Primhak, R; Rollin, A-M; Tremlett, M

2009-07-01

During 2008, ENT-UK received a number of professional enquiries from colleagues about the management of children with upper airway obstruction and uncomplicated obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). These children with sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBDs) are usually referred to paediatricians and ENT surgeons. In some district general hospitals, (DGHs) where paediatric intensive care (PICU) facilities to ventilate children were not available, paediatrician and anaesthetist colleagues were expressing concern about children with a clinical diagnosis of OSA having routine tonsillectomy, with or without adenoidectomy. As BAPO President, I was asked by the ENT-UK President, Professor Richard Ramsden, to investigate the issues and rapidly develop a working consensus statement to support safe but local treatment of these children. The Royal Colleges of Anaesthetists and Paediatrics and Child Health and the Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists nominated expert members from both secondary and tertiary care to contribute and develop a consensus statement based on the limited evidence base available. Our terms of reference were to produce a statement that was brief, with a limited number of references, to inform decision-making at the present time. With patient safety as the first priority, the working party wished to support practice that facilitated referral to a tertiary centre of those children who could be expected, on clinical assessment alone, potentially to require PICU facilities. In contrast, the majority of children who could be safely managed in a secondary care setting should be managed closer to home in a DGH. BAPO, ENT-UK, APA, RCS-CSF and RCoA have endorsed the consensus statement; the RCPCH has no mechanism for endorsing consensus statements, but the RCPCH Clinical Effectiveness Committee reviewed the statement, concluding it was a 'concise, accurate and helpful document'. The consensus statement is an interim working tool, based on level-five evidence. It is intended as the starting point to catalyze further development towards a fully structured, evidence-based guideline; to this end, feedback and comment are welcomed. This and the constructive feedback from APA and RCPCH will be incorporated into a future guideline proposal.

Adenoid and tonsil surgeries in children: how relevant is pre-operative blood grouping and cross-matching?

PubMed

Onotai, Lucky; Lilly-Tariah, Opubo da

2013-01-01

As a part of pre-operative evaluation, several otolaryngologists group and cross-match blood routinely for children undergoing adenoid and tonsil surgeries. This practice has generated several debates either in support or against this practice. The aim of this study is to critically evaluate the incidence of post-tonsillectomy (with or without adenoidectomy) bleeding and blood transfusions in otherwise healthy children with adenoid/tonsil pathologies conducted in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). A descriptive retrospective study of children who underwent adenoid and tonsil surgeries in the Department of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgery of UPTH from January 2003 to December 2012. Children with family history of bleeding disorders and derangement of clotting profile as well as different co-morbidity like sickle cell disease were excluded from this study. The patients' data were retrieved from the registers of ENT out-patient clinics, theatre registers and patients case notes. Demographic data, indications for surgery, preoperative investigations, complications and management outcomes were recorded and analyzed. Out of 145 children that had adenoid and tonsil surgeries; only 100 met the criteria for this study. The study subjects included 65 males and 35 females (male: female ratio 1.9:1) belonging to 0-16 years age group (mean age: 3.46 ± 2.82 years). The age group of 3-5 years had the highest (n = 40, 40%) number of surgeries. Adenotonsillectomy was the commonest (n = 85, 85%) surgery performed on patients who had obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The commonest (n = 6, 6%) complication was haemorrhage, and only few (n = 3, 3%) patients had blood transfusion. However, mortality was recorded in some (n = 3, 3%) patients. This study confirms that the incidence of post adenoidectomy/tonsillectomy bleeding in otherwise healthy children is low and rarely requires blood transfusion. We can conclude that routine preoperative blood grouping and cross-matching of blood for all children undergoing elective adenoid and tonsil surgeries seemed irrelevant and not cost effective. However, it could be carried out in only special circumstances.

Pain after discharge following head and neck surgery in children.

PubMed

Wilson, Caroline A; Sommerfield, David; Drake-Brockman, Thomas F E; von Bieberstein, Lita; Ramgolam, Anoop; von Ungern-Sternberg, Britta S

2016-10-01

It is well established that children experience significant pain for a considerable period following adenotonsillectomy. Less is known, however, about pain following other common head and neck operations. The aim of this study was to describe the severity and duration of postoperative pain experienced by children undergoing elective head and neck procedures (primary outcomes). Behavioral disturbance, nausea and vomiting, parental satisfaction, and medical reattendance rates were also measured (secondary outcomes). Parents of children (0-18 years) undergoing common head and neck operations were invited to participate. Pain scores on the day of surgery and each day post discharge were collected via multiple telephone interviews. Data collected included pain levels, analgesia prescribed and given, behavioral disturbance rates, and nausea and vomiting scores. Follow-up was continued until pain resolved. Two hundred and fifty-one patients were analyzed (50 adenoidectomy, 51 adenotonsillectomy, 19 myringoplasty, 52 myringotomy, 43 strabismus, and 36 tongue tie divisions). On the day of surgery myringoplasty, strabismus surgery, and adenotonsillectomy patients on average had moderate pain, whereas adenoidectomy, tongue tie, and myringotomy patients had mild pain. Adenotonsillectomy patients continued to have moderate pain for several days with pain lasting on average 9 days. From day 1 postoperatively mild pain was experienced in the other surgical groups with the average duration of pain varying from 1 to 3 days depending on the surgery performed. Frequency of behavioral issues closely followed pain scores for each group. Analgesic prescribing and regimes at home varied widely, both within and between the different surgical groups. Rates of nausea and vomiting following discharge were low in all groups. The overall unplanned medical reattendance rate was 16%. Adenotonsillectomy patients represent the biggest challenge in postoperative pain management of the head and neck surgeries evaluated. The low rates of pain, nausea, and vomiting reported in the days following surgery for the other procedures suggests that children can be cared for at home with simple analgesia. Discharge information and analgesia prescribing on discharge should be tailored to the operation performed. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

[Why and how should serous otitis media be treated?].

PubMed

François, M; Bonfils, P; Van Haver, K; Narcy, P

1992-10-01

Serous otitis media is an extremely commonplace condition in pediatric patients and tends to resolve spontaneously. Only some forms warrant treatment. Indications for treatment include frequent superinfections, lasting hearing impairment with adverse consequences on socialization, or debilitation of the tympanic membrane carrying a risk for the ear. Tympanostomy tubes are a palliative treatment for serous otitis which restores hearing within a few hours and eliminates unfixated retractions of the tympanic membrane within a few weeks. Tympanostomy tubes may lead to complications including otorrhea and perforation of the tympanic membrane and should therefore be used only in patients with severe otitis media. Etiologic treatment of serous otitis rests on restoration of satisfactory nasal ventilation (education to improve nose-blowing, adenoidectomy), improvement of eustachian tube patency (corticosteroids), and modification of the characteristics of middle ear secretions (mucolytic agents and mucomodifying agents).

A painful stiff neck following an ear, nose, and throat surgical procedure: case report.

PubMed

Pavlidis, Elena; Copioli, Cristiana; Spagnoli, Carlotta; Mazzotta, Silvia; Ormitti, Francesca; Crisi, Girolamo; Pisani, Francesco

2015-02-01

Grisel syndrome is a rare, nontraumatic atlantoaxial subluxation, typical of developmental ages and characterized by head flexion/rotation and painful fixation. Neurological symptoms may occur. It is secondary to head/neck infections and ear, nose, and throat surgery (adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy, and mastoidectomy). Here, we report the case of a child who presented a painful stiff neck following an adenotonsillectomy, with imaging evidencing an atlantoaxial subluxation. The child showed improvement in his condition following a conservative treatment with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic therapy and cervical collar. We believe it is of great significance for clinicians taking into account this peculiar condition in the differential diagnosis of a stiff neck in pediatric patients, thus avoiding misdiagnosis and delays. Indeed, its diagnosis is mainly based on a focused anamnesis associated with the detection of the typical neuroradiological findings. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Obstructive sleep apnea in a 5 month old with tonsillar hypertrophy secondary to congenital neutropenia: Case report and literature review.

PubMed

Ahmed, O G; Lambert, E M

2017-05-01

Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A) is the primary surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children with tonsillar and adenoid hypertrophy (TAH). We present the case of a 5-month old male with congenital neutropenia who developed severe TAH during treatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). He had severe OSA, decreased oral intake, and failure to thrive (FTT) which all improved after undergoing a successful intracapsular T&A. We describe a successful procedure to help alleviate symptoms of OSA and FTT in this young infant with congenital neutropenia who developed TAH during treatment with G-CSF. It highlights the need for further research into the pathophysiology of TAH in immunocompromised children and the effects of G-CSF on Waldeyer's Ring. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Otitis media with effusion: benefits and harms of strategies in use for treatment and prevention.

PubMed

Principi, Nicola; Marchisio, Paola; Esposito, Susanna

2016-01-01

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a common clinical condition that is associated with hearing loss. It can be diagnosed at least once in approximately 80% of preschool children: 30-40% of them have recurrent episodes, and 5-10% have chronic disease. OME, in recurrent and persistent cases, might significantly delay or impair communication skills, resulting in behavioral and educational difficulties. Several therapeutic approaches have been used to avoid these problems. Most, however, have not been adequately studied, and no definitive conclusions can be drawn. Official guidelines do not recommend the use of decongestants, antihistamines, steroids, or antibiotics. The data are too scanty to assess other interventions, although autoinflation, because it incurs neither cost nor adverse events, deserves attention. Surgical procedures (i.e., tympanostomy tube insertion and adenoidectomy as an adjuvant) can be useful in some cases. This review evaluates all the current OME treatments and preventive measures, including their possible adverse events.

Tonsillectomy for periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis syndrome (PFAPA).

PubMed

Burton, Martin J; Pollard, Andrew J; Ramsden, James D; Chong, Lee Yee; Venekamp, Roderick P

2014-09-11

Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome is a rare clinical syndrome of unknown cause usually identified in children. Tonsillectomy is considered a potential treatment option for this syndrome. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 2010. To assess the effectiveness and safety of tonsillectomy (with or without adenoidectomy) in children with PFAPA. We searched the Cochrane Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Group Trials Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); PubMed; EMBASE; CINAHL; Web of Science; Cambridge Scientific Abstracts; ICTRP and additional sources for published and unpublished trials. The date of the search was 30 October 2013. Randomised controlled trials comparing tonsillectomy (with or without adenoidectomy) with non-surgical treatment in children with PFAPA. Two authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. We used the standard methodological procedures expected by The Cochrane Collaboration. Two trials were included with a total of 67 children randomised (65 analysed); we judged both to be at low risk of bias.One trial of 39 participants recruited children with PFAPA syndrome diagnosed according to rigid, standard criteria. The trial compared adenotonsillectomy to watchful waiting and followed up patients for 18 months. A smaller trial of 28 children applied less stringent criteria for diagnosing PFAPA and probably also included participants with alternative types of recurrent pharyngitis. This trial compared tonsillectomy alone to no treatment and followed up patients for six months.Combining the trial results suggests that patients with PFAPA experience less fever and less severe episodes after surgery compared to those receiving no surgery. The risk ratio (RR) for immediate resolution of symptoms after surgery that persisted until the end of follow-up was 4.38 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.64 to 30.11); number needed to treat to benefit (NNTB) = 2, calculated based on an estimate that 156 in 1000 untreated children have a resolution).There was a large overall reduction in the average number of episodes over the total length of follow-up in these studies (rate ratio 0.08, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.13), reducing the average frequency of PFAPA episodes from one every two months to slightly less than one every two years. The severity, as indicated by the length of PFAPA symptoms during these episodes, was also reduced. One study reported that the average number of days per PFAPA episode was 1.7 days after receiving surgery, compared to 3.5 days in the control group. The proportion of patients requiring corticosteroids was also lower in the surgery group compared to those receiving no surgery (RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.92).Both trials reported that there were no complications of surgery. However, the numbers of patients randomly allocated to surgery (19 and 14 patients respectively) were too small to detect potentially important complications such as haemorrhage. Other outcomes such as quality of life, number of days with pain after surgery and absence from school were not measured or reported. The evidence for the effectiveness of tonsillectomy in children with PFAPA syndrome is derived from two small randomised controlled trials. These trials reported significant beneficial effects of surgery compared to no surgery on immediate and complete symptom resolution (NNTB = 2) and a substantial reduction in the frequency and severity (length of episode) of any further symptoms experienced. However, the evidence is of moderate quality (further research is likely to have an important impact on our confidence in the estimate of effect and may change the estimate) due to the relatively small sample sizes of the studies and some concerns about the applicability of the results. Therefore, the parents and carers of children with PFAPA syndrome must weigh the risks and consequences of surgery against the alternative of using medications. It is well established that children with PFAPA syndrome recover spontaneously and medication can be administered to try and reduce the severity of individual episodes. It is uncertain whether adenoidectomy combined with tonsillectomy adds any additional benefit to tonsillectomy alone.

Pharmacokinetics and analgesic effectiveness of intravenous parecoxib for tonsillectomy ± adenoidectomy.

PubMed

Tan, Lena; Taylor, Elsa; Hannam, Jacqueline A; Salkeld, Lesley; Salman, Sam; Anderson, Brian J

2016-12-01

Few pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) data exist for COX-2 selective inhibitors in children. We wished to characterize the PKPD of parecoxib and its active metabolite, valdecoxib, in this population. Children (n = 59) were randomized to parecoxib 0.25 mg·kg -1 , 1 mg·kg -1 , and 2 mg·kg -1 during tonsillectomy ± adenoidectomy. Samples (4-6 per child) were obtained from indwelling cannula over 6 h. A second group of inpatient children (n = 15) given 1 mg·kg -1 contributed PK data from 6 to 24 h. Pain scores and rescue medication for the first group were recorded postoperatively for up to 24 h. PK data were pooled with those (10 samples/24 h) from a published study of children (n = 38) who underwent surgery. A three-compartment parent and one-compartment metabolite model with first-order elimination was used to describe data using nonlinear mixed effects models. An E MAX model described the relationship between dose and rescue morphine equivalents during recovery. Parecoxib PK parameter estimates were CL PARECOXIB 19.1 L·h -1 ·70 kg -1 , V1 PARECOXIB 4.2 L·70 kg -1 , Q2 PARECOXIB 6.29 L·h -1 ·70 kg -1 , V2 PARECOXIB 130 L·70 kg -1 , Q3 PARECOXIB 6.02 L·h -1 ·70 kg -1 , and V3 PARECOXIB 2.03 L·70 kg -1 . We assumed all parecoxib was metabolized to valdecoxib with CL VALDECOXIB 9.53 L·h -1 ·70 kg -1 and V VALDECOXIB 51 L·70 kg -1 . There was no maturation of clearance over the age span studied. There were no differences in pain scores between groups on waking, discharge, 12 h, or 24 h. There were no differences in analgesia consumption over 24 h between groups for tramadol, fentanyl, and morphine rescue use. Fentanyl and morphine consumption, expressed as morphine equivalents (0.13 mg·kg -1 ) in the 0.25 mg·kg -1 group, was greater than that observed in the 1 or 2 mg·kg -1 groups (0.095 mg·kg -1 ) in PACU. Parecoxib 0.9 mg·kg -1 in a 2-year-old, 0.75 mg·kg -1 in a 7-year-old, and 0.65 mg·kg -1 in a 12-year-old child achieves dose equivalence of 40 mg in a standard 70 kg person. Clearance maturation may occur in infants younger than the current cohort. Parecoxib doses above 1 mg·kg -1 add no additional analgesia. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Atypical streptococcal infection of gingiva associated with chronic mouth breathing.

PubMed

Haytac, M Cenk; Oz, I Attila

2007-01-01

Streptococcal infections of oral tissues are mainly seen in young children who experience a variety of upper respiratory tract infections. The disease is characterized by fever, lymphadenopathy, and ulcers on the gingiva, lips, and tonsils. This case report presents an atypical streptococcal infection of the gingiva in an 18-year-old man. The patient was referred to the periodontology department complaining of a 2-month history of gingival enlargement. He had persistent fever (39.5 degrees C) and general malaise for 2 weeks. Intraoral examination revealed extremely inflamed and enlarged gingiva with spontaneous bleeding and suppuration. Based on the otolaryngologic consultation and the hematologic, immunologic, and microbiologic tests, the final diagnosis was an atypical streptococcal gingivitis with chronic adenoid-related mouth breathing and oral hygiene neglect as contributing factors. Treatment consisted of a broad-spectrum antibiotic regimen, supragingival and subgingival debridement, adenoidectomy, and scaling and root planing. A good response to nonsurgical therapy was achieved despite poor patient compliance, and no recurrence of gingival enlargement was observed after 1 year. Streptococcal gingivitis should be included in the differential diagnosis of suppurative gingival enlargements. Furthermore, chronic mouth breathing may initiate and/or contribute to this disease.

The effect of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome on growth and development in nonobese children: a parallel study of twins.

PubMed

Zhang, Xiao Man; Shi, Jun; Meng, Guo Zhen; Chen, Hong Sai; Zhang, Li Na; Wang, Zhao Yan; Wu, Hao

2015-03-01

To explore the effects of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) on children's growth by the study of identical twins. Seventeen cases of nonobese children with OSAS were included in this study. The control group was their identical twin sibling, who had no signs of OSAS. Data including height, weight, and serum insulin-like growth factor 1 levels were analyzed before tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A) and at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. The mean apnea hyponea index was 3.9 times/hour in patients with OSAS and became normal after surgery. Minimum oxygen saturation gradually increased after T&A. The height and weight of the OSAS group before T&A was lower than the control group. During the follow-up period, height and weight increased but were lower than the control group. Serum insulin-like growth factor 1 levels in the OSAS group before T&A were lower than the control group. The level was significantly increased 3 months after T&A. OSAS impairs growth and development. Significant growth recovery occurs after T&A, and early surgical intervention is an important factor for improvement in growth. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Inc.

[Use of Airwayscope with pediatric intlock in a patient with first and second branchial arch syndrome].

PubMed

Kubota, Aiko; Takeda, Akiko; Arai, Toshimi; Murozono, Michihiro

2013-12-01

First and second branchial arch syndrome is a congenital anomaly of craniofacial dysplasia involving organs derived from the second branchial arch. The main characteristics are microtia and mandibular hypoplasia. A 6-year-old boy was scheduled for adenoidectomy and bilateral myringotomy and tube placement. Slow induction was performed with oxygen, nitrous oxide, and sevoflurane. No difficulties were encountered during mask ventilation, and rocuronium was administered intravenously. His epiglottis was not visible during laryngoscopy. Therefore, we used the Airwayscope (AWS). His glottis was visible after application of cricold pressure from the left side. However, we could not closely conform his epiglottis to the mark on the AWS. Therefore, we passed a fiberoptic bronchoscope through a tracheal tube and placed it in the AWS. We attempted to intubate the trachea, but could not guide the bronchoscope to his glottis. We then attempted to pull the tracheal tube to improve the mobility of the bronchoscope. Control of the bronchoscope consequently became easy We successfully guided it to his glottis and performed tracheal intubation. His condition was stable during the procedure. In conclusion, we safely performed tracheal intubation in a patient with first and second branchial arch syndrome using the AWS and a fiberoptic bronchoscope.

Preoperative use of granisetron plus dexamethasone and granisetron alone in prevention of post operative nausea and vomiting in tonsillectomy.

PubMed

Islam, M R; Haq, M F; Islam, M A; Meftahuzzaman, S M; Sarkar, S C; Rashid, H; Rashid, H U

2011-07-01

This prospective study was done for to see the efficacy of preoperative use of granisetron plus dexamethasone (Group A) & granisetron (Group B) alone for the postoperative prevention of nausea & vomiting after tonsillectomy operation. One hundred patients undergoing tonsillectomy & adenoidectomy operation under general anaesthesia who were admitted in the Mymensingh Medical College Hospital during the period from July 2008 to June 2009 with American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) grade I & II with age 3-40 years, body weight 10-60 kgs, were studied. Observation of this study was analyzed in the light of comparison between the two groups. All results were expressed as mean±SEM. Age in Group A 15.98±1.028 & Group B 17.18±0.961 years; Weight in Group A 38.40±1.492 & Group B 39.76±1.561 kgs and operational duration in Group A 52.60±0.786 & Group B 52.70±0.823 minutes. The studied groups were statistically matched for age, weight, duration of surgery. We observed that the effects of combination of granisetron & dexamthasone are more than granisetron alone in prevention of nausea & vomiting after tonsillectomy operation. The frequency of vomiting was 4% in combination & 16% in single therapy which is statically significant (p<0.05).

A Multicentre Audit of Single-Use Surgical Instruments (SUSI) for Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy

PubMed Central

O'Flynn, P; Silva, S; Kothari, P; Persaud, R

2007-01-01

INTRODUCTION Prions are resistant to conventional sterilisation procedures and, therefore, could be transmitted iatrogenically through re-usable adenoid and tonsil surgical instruments. Using disposable instruments would avoid the risk of transmission. We present the results of a complete audit loop using BBraun single-use surgical instruments (SUSI). PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a prospective multicentre audit. Surgeons were asked to fill in a standardised questionnaire recording details including postoperative complications, and evaluation of each piece of equipment compared with their own experience of conventional re-usable instruments. In the first cycle, constructive criticisms of the instruments were noted and the manufacturers modified the instruments accordingly. A second cycle of audit was subsequently undertaken. RESULTS A total of 86 patients were audited in the first cycle and 97 in the second cycle. Postoperative haemorrhage rate for both cycles was well within acceptable range. In the first audit cycle, surgeons generally found the Draffin rods, Boyle-Davis gag and bipolar diathermy forceps of poor quality and difficult to use. These were redesigned and, on repeat evaluation during the second audit cycle, were found to be just as good, if not better, than the re-usable instruments. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that SUSI may be just as good as re-usable instruments. Furthermore, they may be more cost effective. PMID:18201478

Specified data for tonsil surgery in Germany

PubMed Central

Windfuhr, Jochen P.

2016-01-01

Background: Tonsillectomy rates vary considerably among different states, regions, and times. This study was conducted to identify the prevalence of “chronic” tonsillitis, peritonsillar abscess, hypertrophy of the tonsils with and without adenoids in absolute and relative numbers in an 80 million people nation. Moreover, the number and rates of different surgical procedures to resolve either “chronic” tonsillitis, peritonsillar abscess, or upper airway obstruction due to (adeno)tonsillar hypertrophy over several years was evaluated in this study (tonsillectomy, adenotonsillectomy, tonsillotomy, abscess tonsillectomy, transoral incision and drainage). Finally, the post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage rate was calculated and analyzed in relation to age and gender. Material and methods: Calculations were based on data as published by the Federal Institute of Statistics or on request, if needed. The latest data were provided for 2013. Results: The total number of the aforementioned diseases (stratified by ICD-10) decreased from 142,574 (in 2000) to 87,624 in 2013 (38.5%). Tonsillectomy, with or without adenoidectomy, was performed in a total of 833,896 patients between 2006 and 2013 in Germany. The yearly number decreased continually from 120,993 in 2006 to 84,332 procedures in 2013 (30.3%). The most significant decrease was registered in patients younger than 20 years of age for this time period: 70.92 per 10,000 in 2010 to 58.68 per 10,000 in 2013. If all age groups were included, the rate decreased from 13.34 per 10,000 to 10.90 per 10,000. In contrast, an increasing number of tonsillotomies was observed between 2007 (4,659 procedures) and 2013 (11,493). The cumulated number of procedures was 59,049. A constant number of 15,000 cases with peritonsillar abscess were diagnosed per year in Germany (19 patients per 100,000). The prevalence increased significantly at an age of 15 years and there was a preponderance of female patients below that age. Compared to the transoral incision and drainage, a 2.8-fold greater number of abscess tonsillectomies were performed annually. Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage was experienced in 5.98% of all patients after 245,721 procedures in 2010 and 2013 (all indications, except tonsillotomy). Bleeding complications had occurred less frequently in female patients (5.06% vs. 7.02%). Finally, a considerable increase of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage in patients older than 10 years of age was registered in male patients only. Conclusion: Chronic tonsillitis was less frequently diagnosed and surgically treated in terms of tonsillectomy (with or without adenoidectomy), particularly in female patients. In contrast, the number of tonsillotomies increased continually, particularly in male patients. Peritonsillar abscess was diagnosed and surgically treated in a constant number of patients in the yearly comparison. Most of these patients were scheduled for abscess tonsillectomy, and only a 2.8-fold smaller number for transoral incision and drainage. Independent from the indication for surgery, post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage was clearly associated with male gender and age (>10 years). The study reveals a dramatic change mandating further surveillance in insurance companies and authorities in the national health system of an 80 million people nation. (Tab. 1) PMID:28025608

Diseases of the nose and paranasal sinuses in child

PubMed Central

Stenner, Markus; Rudack, Claudia

2014-01-01

Diseases of the pediatric nose and nasal sinuses as well as neighboring anatomical structures encompass a variety of pathologies, especially of inflammatory nature. Congenital disease, such as malformations and structural deviations of the nasal septum, as well as systemic metabolic pathologies affecting the nose and sinuses, rarely require medical therapy from an Otolaryngologist. The immunological function of the mucosa and genetic factors play a role in the development of disease in the pediatric upper airway tract, especially due to the constantly changing anatomy in this growth phase. Disease description of the nose and nasal sinuses due to mid-facial growth must also take developmental age differences (infant, toddler, preschool, and school age) into account. Epidemiological examinations and evidence based studies are often lacking in the pediatric population. The wide range of inflammatory diseases of the nose and paranasal sinuses, such as the acute and chronic rhinosinusitis, the allergic rhinitis, and adenoid disease, play a role in the susceptibility of a child to infection. The susceptibility to infection depends on the pediatric age structure (infant, young child) and has yet to be well defined. The acute rhinosinusitis in children develops after a viral infection of the upper airways, also referred to as the “common cold” in the literature. It usually spontaneously heals within ten days without any medical therapy. Antibiotic therapy is prudent in complicated episodes of ARS. The antibiotic therapy is reserved for children with complications or associated disease, such as bronchial asthma and/or chronic bronchitis. A chronic rhinosinusitis is defined as the inflammatory change in the nasal mucosa and nasal sinus mucosa, in which the corresponding symptoms persist for over 12 weeks. The indication for CT-imaging of the nasal sinuses is reserved for cases of chronic rhinosinusitis that have been successfully treated with medication. A staged therapeutic concept is followed in CRS based on conservative and surgical methods. Nasal sinus surgery is considered nowadays as effective and safe in children. Based on the assumption that adenoids are a reservoir for bacteria, from which recurrent infections of the nose and nasal sinus originate, the adenoidectomy is still defined as a cleansing procedure in rhinosinusitis. 69.3% of the children had benefit from adenoidectomy. Comorbidities, such as pediatric bronchial asthma, presently play an even more important role in the therapy of rhinosinusitis; therefore, it is often wise to have the support of pediatricians. In western European countries 40% of children presently suffer from allergic rhinitis, in which pronounced nasal obstruction can cause disturbed growth in facial bones. An early therapy with SIT may prevent the development of bronchial asthma and secondary sensitization to other allergens. Therefore, SIT is recommended in treatment of allergic rhinitis whenever, if possible. The assessment of diagnostic tools is for the examiner not often possible due to the lack of evidence. Rhinosurgical approaches are often described in study reports; however, they lack the standard prospective randomized long-term study design required nowadays and can only be evaluated with caution in the literature. PMID:25587370

Diseases of the nose and paranasal sinuses in child.

PubMed

Stenner, Markus; Rudack, Claudia

2014-01-01

Diseases of the pediatric nose and nasal sinuses as well as neighboring anatomical structures encompass a variety of pathologies, especially of inflammatory nature. Congenital disease, such as malformations and structural deviations of the nasal septum, as well as systemic metabolic pathologies affecting the nose and sinuses, rarely require medical therapy from an Otolaryngologist. The immunological function of the mucosa and genetic factors play a role in the development of disease in the pediatric upper airway tract, especially due to the constantly changing anatomy in this growth phase. Disease description of the nose and nasal sinuses due to mid-facial growth must also take developmental age differences (infant, toddler, preschool, and school age) into account. Epidemiological examinations and evidence based studies are often lacking in the pediatric population. The wide range of inflammatory diseases of the nose and paranasal sinuses, such as the acute and chronic rhinosinusitis, the allergic rhinitis, and adenoid disease, play a role in the susceptibility of a child to infection. The susceptibility to infection depends on the pediatric age structure (infant, young child) and has yet to be well defined. The acute rhinosinusitis in children develops after a viral infection of the upper airways, also referred to as the "common cold" in the literature. It usually spontaneously heals within ten days without any medical therapy. Antibiotic therapy is prudent in complicated episodes of ARS. The antibiotic therapy is reserved for children with complications or associated disease, such as bronchial asthma and/or chronic bronchitis. A chronic rhinosinusitis is defined as the inflammatory change in the nasal mucosa and nasal sinus mucosa, in which the corresponding symptoms persist for over 12 weeks. The indication for CT-imaging of the nasal sinuses is reserved for cases of chronic rhinosinusitis that have been successfully treated with medication. A staged therapeutic concept is followed in CRS based on conservative and surgical methods. Nasal sinus surgery is considered nowadays as effective and safe in children. Based on the assumption that adenoids are a reservoir for bacteria, from which recurrent infections of the nose and nasal sinus originate, the adenoidectomy is still defined as a cleansing procedure in rhinosinusitis. 69.3% of the children had benefit from adenoidectomy. Comorbidities, such as pediatric bronchial asthma, presently play an even more important role in the therapy of rhinosinusitis; therefore, it is often wise to have the support of pediatricians. In western European countries 40% of children presently suffer from allergic rhinitis, in which pronounced nasal obstruction can cause disturbed growth in facial bones. An early therapy with SIT may prevent the development of bronchial asthma and secondary sensitization to other allergens. Therefore, SIT is recommended in treatment of allergic rhinitis whenever, if possible. The assessment of diagnostic tools is for the examiner not often possible due to the lack of evidence. Rhinosurgical approaches are often described in study reports; however, they lack the standard prospective randomized long-term study design required nowadays and can only be evaluated with caution in the literature.

Scoping review of pediatric tonsillectomy quality of life assessment instruments.

PubMed

Kao, Stephen Shih-Teng; Peters, Micah D J; Dharmawardana, Nuwan; Stew, Benjamin; Ooi, Eng Hooi

2017-10-01

Sleep-disordered breathing or recurrent tonsillitis have detrimental effects on the child's physical health and quality of life. Tonsillectomy is commonly performed to treat these common conditions and improve the child's quality of life. This scoping review aims to present a comprehensive and descriptive analysis of quality of life questionnaires as a resource for clinicians and researchers when deciding which tool to use when assessing the quality of life effects after tonsillectomy. A comprehensive search strategy was undertaken across MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL. Quality of life questionnaires utilized in studies investigating pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy for chronic tonsillitis or sleep-disordered breathing were included. Methodological quality and data extraction were conducted as per Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. Ten questionnaires were identified, consisting of six generic and four disease-specific instruments. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory was the most commonly utilized generic questionnaire. The Obstructive Sleep Apnea-18 was the most commonly utilized disease-specific questionnaire. This review identified a range of generic and disease-specific quality of life questionnaires utilized in pediatric patients who have undergone tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy for sleep-disordered breathing or chronic tonsillitis. Important aspects of each questionnaire have been summarized to aid researchers and clinicians in choosing the appropriate questionnaire when evaluating the quality of life effects of tonsillectomy. NA Laryngoscope, 127:2399-2406, 2017. © 2017 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.

DNA damage in children with obstructive adenotonsillar hypertrophy.

PubMed

Yoruk, Ozgur; Alp, Hakan; Yuksel, Sancak; Bakan, Ebubekir

2014-11-01

The objective of this prospective, controlled study was to evaluate oxidative DNA damage in children with obstructive adenotonsillar hypertrophy. This study included 30 patients with obstructive adenotonsillar hypertrophy (male/female ratio, 3:2; age range, 3-9 y) scheduled to undergo tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy and 25 control subjects of similar age and sex with no adenotonsillar disease or airway obstruction. Urine and blood samples were obtained from each child for 8-hydroxy 2-deoxyguanosine (8-OhdG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations. There were significant differences in leukocyte (3.28 [0.69/10] vs 0.70 [0.15/10] dG) and urine 8-OhdG (8.22 [2.27/10] vs 5.26 [1.3/10] dG) levels in patients with obstructive adenotonsillar hypertrophy and healthy subjects (P < 0.001 for both). Plasma (2.98 [1.31] vs 1.14 [0.64] μM) and urine (1.77 [0.84] vs 0.56 [0.32] μM) MDA levels were also different (P < 0.001 for both). There were positive correlations between 8-OhdG in leukocyte DNA and plasma MDA (r = 0.648, P < 0.001) and between levels of urine 8-OhdG excretion and urine MDA (r = 0.588, P < 0.001). The DNA damage in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy should be kept in mind, but further studies must be done with larger patient groups.

Impaired sexual maturation associated with sleep apnea syndrome during puberty: a case study.

PubMed

Mosko, S S; Lewis, E; Sassin, J F

1980-01-01

A 20-year-old hypogonadal man was discovered to have had obstructive sleep apnea syndrome--secondary to hypertrophied tonsils, adenoids, and uvula--spanning the years of puberty. All-night polysomnographic recordings and 24 hr measurements of plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations (sampling at 20 min intervals) were performed before and after combined tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, and uvulectomy. Two weeks preoperatively, nocturnal sleep was markedly disturbed by 407 apneic episodes, and the patient was found to be hypogonadotropic. Daytime LH concentrations were in the low-normal range for an adult male, and concentrations fell dramatically during nocturnal sleep. This contrasts with both the sleep-related elevation of LH normally seen in puberty and the adult pattern, where no difference is observed in mean concentrations during waking and sleep. Two week and 6 month postoperative evaluations revealed complete alleviation of the sleep apnea syndrome and normalization of the 24 hr pattern of plasma LH, although LH values remained in the low-normal range. Plasma testosterone concentrations were in the low to low-normal range both pre- and postoperatively. No evidence of continued sexual development, beyond that achieved preoperatively, was observed 20 months after surgery, despite continued relief from apnea. These data suggest that sleep apnea during puberty may impair sexual development by preventing the sleep-related elevation in LH secretion normally observed during a critical period spanning puberty.

Microbiological Profile of Adenoid Hypertrophy Correlates to Clinical Diagnosis in Children

PubMed Central

Szalmás, Anita; Csomor, Péter; Kónya, József; Sziklai, István; Szekanecz, Zoltán; Karosi, Tamás

2013-01-01

Objective. Adenoid hypertrophy is a common condition in childhood, which may be associated with recurring acute otitis media (RAOM), otitis media with effusion (OME), and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). These different clinical characteristics have some clinical overlap; however, they might be explained by distinct immunologic and infectious profiles and result in various histopathologic findings of adenoid specimens. Methods. A total of 59 children with adenoid hypertrophy undergoing adenoidectomy were studied. Three series of identical adenoid specimens were processed to hematoxylin-eosin (H.E.) and Gram staining and to respiratory virus specific real-time PCR, respectively. Results. According to the clinical characteristics, patients were recruited into three groups: RAOM (n = 25), OME (n = 19), and OSAS (n = 15). Bacterial biofilms were detected in 21 cases, while at least one of the studied respiratory viruses was detected in 52 specimens. RAOM cases were significantly associated with biofilm existence (n = 20, P < 0.001). In contrast, OME group was characterized by the absence of bacterial biofilm and by normal mucosa. Showing a statistically significant correlation, all OME cases were positive for human bocavirus (HBoV, P < 0.001). Conclusions. Bacterial biofilms might contribute to the damage of respiratory epithelium and recurring acute infections resulting in RAOM. In OME cases persisting respiratory viruses, mainly HBoV, can cause subsequent lymphoid hyperplasia leading to ventilation disorders and impaired immunoreactivity of the middle ear cleft. PMID:24175295

Otolaryngologic manifestations of Noonan syndrome.

PubMed

Geelan-Hansen, Katie; Anne, Samantha

2015-09-01

Noonan syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder with associated anomalies that include short stature, congenital heart defects, developmental delay, and characteristic facial features among other abnormalities. Articulation deficiency and language delay are often present and require speech therapy. Otitis media and hearing loss have been reported to be common in these patients. We performed a retrospective chart review of pediatric patients who were diagnosed with Noonan syndrome at our tertiary care center from January 1979 through December 2009. We found 19 such patients. Of these, 8 had received single-specialty care at our hospital; it is not known if they had received otolaryngologic care from an outside provider. These 8 patients were not included in our study. The remaining 11 patients-6 boys and 5 girls, aged 1 to 19 years (mean: 9.2)-had all received multidisciplinary care at our institution; 9 of them had received care from an otolaryngologist at our center. Of this group, 7 had history of feeding difficulty, 6 had experienced speech delay that required speech therapy, 6 had undergone placement of a pressure equalization tube, 4 had undergone adenoidectomy with or without tonsillectomy, and 1 had been treated with endoscopic sinus surgery. Although this study is limited by our small number of patients, our results suggest that early otolaryngologist involvement must be considered in the care of children with Noonan syndrome because many have evidence of eustachian tube dysfunction, hearing loss, and speech delay.

Dexmedetomidine as a Rapid Bolus for Treatment and Prophylactic Prevention of Emergence Agitation in Anesthetized Children.

PubMed

Hauber, John A; Davis, Peter J; Bendel, Laima P; Martyn, Slava V; McCarthy, Denise L; Evans, Minh-Chau; Cladis, Franklyn P; Cunningham, Sarah; Lang, Robert Scott; Campbell, Neal F; Tuchman, Jay B; Young, Michael C

2015-11-01

Administration of dexmedetomidine (DEX) in the pediatric population for its sedative, analgesic, and anxiolytic properties has been widely reported, despite there being no label indication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for pediatric patients. Infusions of DEX, rather than bolus administration, are recommended to attenuate the hemodynamic response caused by the α2-adrenoreceptor agonist. In this prospective, double-blind, randomized study, we examined the effect of rapid IV bolus injection of DEX on emergence agitation and the hemodynamic response in a large sample of children undergoing tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy, with or without myringotomy, and/or tympanostomy tube insertion. Four hundred patients, aged 4 to 10 years, undergoing tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy, with or without myringotomy, and/or tympanostomy tube insertion, were randomized at a 1:1 ratio into 1 of the 2 treatment groups in a double-blinded fashion. After a standardized anesthetic regimen and approximately 5 minutes before the end of surgery, patients in group DEX were administered a rapid IV bolus of 4 μg·mL DEX at a dose of 0.5 μg·kg, whereas patients in group saline received a rapid IV bolus of equivalent volume saline. Baseline measurements of heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, respiratory rate, and blood oxygen saturation were collected immediately before study drug administration and every minute thereafter for 5 minutes. In the postanesthesia care unit, vital signs were measured, emergence agitation (EA) was assessed using the Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium scale, and postoperative opioid use and complications were recorded. The incidence of EA in group DEX was significantly lower than that in group saline, regardless of whether EA was defined as a Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium score >10 (36% vs 66%, respectively; P < 0.0001; relative risk [95% confidence interval] = 0.527 [0.421-0.660]; number needed to treat = 3.33) or >12 (30% vs 61%, respectively; P < 0.0001; relative risk [95% confidence interval] = 0.560 [0.458-0.684]; number needed to treat = 3.23). Both groups exhibited similar baseline vital signs before study drug injection (all P ≥ 0.602). After injection, group DEX experienced a significant decrease in heart rate for all time points in comparison with group saline (all P < 0.0001). A significant, biphasic blood pressure response was observed in group DEX, specifically, a transient increase in systolic blood pressure at 1 minute after injection (P < 0.0001) and a subsequent decrease below baseline for 3, 4, and 5 minutes (all P < 0.0001). No patients required treatment for bradycardia, hypertension, or hypotension. A significantly smaller percentage of patients in group DEX received postoperative, supplemental opioid medication compared with group saline (48% vs 73%, respectively; P < 0.0001). Group DEX appeared to experience fewer adverse events than group saline as well (9% vs 17%, respectively; P = 0.025). Rapid IV bolus administration of DEX in children improved their recovery profile by reducing the incidence of EA. A statistically significant change in hemodynamics was observed, but no patients required any intervention for hemodynamic changes. Furthermore, DEX reduced the incidence of postoperative opioid administration, and a trend of fewer adverse events was observed in group DEX.

Tympanoplasty for Chronic Tympanic Membrane Perforation in Children: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PubMed

Hardman, John; Muzaffar, Jameel; Nankivell, Paul; Coulson, Chris

2015-06-01

To study the effectiveness of Type 1 tympanoplasty for chronic tympanic membrane perforations in the pediatric age group and to investigate factors influencing its success. Searches were conducted of the MEDLINE database and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews using terms focused around tympanoplasty and children. Searches were performed on June 23, 2014 and limited to English language entries since January 1, 1997. Studies reporting tympanoplasty closure rates in children 18 years and younger, with a minimum follow-up of 6 months, were included. Studies focusing on more advanced forms of tympanoplasty and revision surgery were excluded. Five hundred sixty-four articles were screened identifying 2,609 cases from 45 eligible studies. Data were collected by consensus of the first two authors with the third author arbitrating disparities of opinion. Success was taken as the closure rate at 12 months where possible. Forest plots with Mantel-Haenszel analyses were used to compare closure rates with respect to perforation size, adenoidectomy, status of contralateral ear, Eustachian tube function, active infection, and graft position. Linear regression and Fisher's exact were used to analyze closure rate with respect to age. The mean weighted closure rate for pediatric tympanoplasty was 83.4%. Subgroup analysis found age not to be a significant factor affecting the closure rate. Tympanoplasties performed on larger perforations or in children with abnormal contralateral ear findings were more likely to fail. Surgery may be best delayed until contralateral otitis media with effusion has settled.

Diagnosis and treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis.

PubMed

Choby, Beth A

2009-03-01

Common signs and symptoms of streptococcal pharyngitis include sore throat, temperature greater than 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C), tonsillar exudates, and cervical adenopathy. Cough, coryza, and diarrhea are more common with viral pharyngitis. Available diagnostic tests include throat culture and rapid antigen detection testing. Throat culture is considered the diagnostic standard, although the sensitivity and specificity of rapid antigen detection testing have improved significantly. The modified Centor score can be used to help physicians decide which patients need no testing, throat culture/rapid antigen detection testing, or empiric antibiotic therapy. Penicillin (10 days of oral therapy or one injection of intramuscular benzathine penicillin) is the treatment of choice because of cost, narrow spectrum of activity, and effectiveness. Amoxicillin is equally effective and more palatable. Erythromycin and first-generation cephalosporins are options in patients with penicillin allergy. Increased group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS) treatment failure with penicillin has been reported. Although current guidelines recommend first-generation cephalosporins for persons with penicillin allergy, some advocate the use of cephalosporins in all nonallergic patients because of better GABHS eradication and effectiveness against chronic GABHS carriage. Chronic GABHS colonization is common despite appropriate use of antibiotic therapy. Chronic carriers are at low risk of transmitting disease or developing invasive GABHS infections, and there is generally no need to treat carriers. Whether tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy decreases the incidence of GABHS pharyngitis is poorly understood. At this time, the benefits are too small to outweigh the associated costs and surgical risks.

Pulsating Tonsil Due to Medial Displacement of the Internal Carotid Artery.

PubMed

Alsini, Albaraa Y; Ibrahim, Alsheikhi

2017-05-06

BACKGROUND The internal carotid artery (ICA) is about 2.5 cm away from the tonsils. It has no branches in the cervical portion. ICA anomalies of the neck zone may result in a massive arterial bleeding during pharynx and neck surgery. Due to these anomalies, the surgeon must be aware of this risk during tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, and pharyngeal operations.  CASE REPORT A 23-year-old woman who was discovered to have an acute S curling-type anomaly of the ICA in contact with the lateral border of the right tonsil during a work-up for a tonsillectomy. This anomaly was incidentally discovered via computed tomography (CT) with contrast. In re-evaluating the course of treatment, we found a severe S-shape kink on the right side, bringing it close to the right tonsil by approximately 2 mm, and putting it at severe risk of injury during a simple tonsillectomy, possibly exposing the patient to serious bleeding. Partial tonsillectomy was performed for this patient with the aim to preserve and not expose the internal carotid artery. Pulsation of right tonsil was recorded. The patient made an uneventful postoperative recovery. CONCLUSIONS Undetected ICA anomaly variation can lead to fatal bleeding during a simple procedure, like tonsillectomy. We recommend vigilance during tonsillectomy if one is using a hot dissection method versus a cold dissection method, which may allow for detection of a perioperative ICA anomaly. Tonsillectomy performed by a junior resident should be under direct supervision, particularly if the hot dissection method is used.

Danish guidelines on management of otitis media in preschool children.

PubMed

Heidemann, C H; Lous, J; Berg, J; Christensen, J J; Håkonsen, S J; Jakobsen, M; Johansen, C J; Nielsen, L H; Hansen, M P; Poulsen, A; Schousboe, L P; Skrubbeltrang, C; Vind, A B; Homøe, P

2016-08-01

Otitis media is one of the most common diseases in small children. This underlines the importance of optimizing diagnostics and treatment of the condition. Recent literature points toward a stricter approach to diagnosing acute otitis media (AOM). Moreover, ventilating tube treatment for recurrent AOM (RAOM) and chronic otitis media with effusion (COME) has become the most frequently performed surgical procedure in pre-school children. Therefore, the Danish Health and Medicines Authority and the Danish Society of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery deemed it necessary to update the Danish guidelines regarding the diagnostic criteria for acute otitis media and surgical treatment of RAOM and COME. The GRADE system (The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) was used in order to comply with current standards of evidence assessment in formulation of recommendations. An extensive literature search was conducted between July and December 2014. The quality of the existing literature was assessed using AGREE II (Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation), AMSTAR (assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews), QUADAS-2 (Quality of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies), Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for randomized trials and ACROBAT-NRSI (A Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Non-Randomized Studies). The working group consisted of otolaryngologists, general practitioners, pediatricians, microbiologists and epidemiologists. Recommendations for AOM diagnosis, surgical management for RAOM and COME, including the role of adenoidectomy and treatment of ventilating tube otorrhea, are proposed in the guideline. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Panel 7: Otitis Media: Treatment and Complications.

PubMed

Schilder, Anne G M; Marom, Tal; Bhutta, Mahmood F; Casselbrant, Margaretha L; Coates, Harvey; Gisselsson-Solén, Marie; Hall, Amanda J; Marchisio, Paola; Ruohola, Aino; Venekamp, Roderick P; Mandel, Ellen M

2017-04-01

Objective We aimed to summarize key articles published between 2011 and 2015 on the treatment of (recurrent) acute otitis media, otitis media with effusion, tympanostomy tube otorrhea, chronic suppurative otitis media and complications of otitis media, and their implications for clinical practice. Data Sources PubMed, Ovid Medline, the Cochrane Library, and Clinical Evidence (BMJ Publishing). Review Methods All types of articles related to otitis media treatment and complications between June 2011 and March 2015 were identified. A total of 1122 potential related articles were reviewed by the panel members; 118 relevant articles were ultimately included in this summary. Conclusions Recent literature and guidelines emphasize accurate diagnosis of acute otitis media and optimal management of ear pain. Watchful waiting is optional in mild to moderate acute otitis media; antibiotics do shorten symptoms and duration of middle ear effusion. The additive benefit of adenoidectomy to tympanostomy tubes in recurrent acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion is controversial and age dependent. Topical antibiotic is the treatment of choice in acute tube otorrhea. Symptomatic hearing loss due to persistent otitis media with effusion is best treated with tympanostomy tubes. Novel molecular and biomaterial treatments as adjuvants to surgical closure of eardrum perforations seem promising. There is insufficient evidence to support the use of complementary and alternative treatments. Implications for Practice Emphasis on accurate diagnosis of otitis media, in its various forms, is important to reduce overdiagnosis, overtreatment, and antibiotic resistance. Children at risk for otitis media and its complications deserve special attention.

Sleep surgery and medical malpractice.

PubMed

Tolisano, Anthony M; Bager, Jennifer M

2014-06-01

To describe and analyze the causes and outcomes of lawsuits pertaining to sleep surgery to mitigate future litigation and improve physician education. A retrospective review of a publicly available database containing jury verdicts and settlements. The LexisNexis MEGA Jury Verdicts and Settlements database was reviewed for all lawsuits including settlements and trial verdicts related to sleep surgery. Data including type of surgery performed, plaintiff allegation, nature of injury, outcomes, and indemnities were collected and analyzed. Fifty-one cases met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 30 were decided by a jury, nine were settled out of court, and 10 were resolved by other means. Overall, 57% of known outcomes favored the defendant. The most common surgery performed was tonsillectomy (57%), followed by uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (45%), adenoidectomy (31%), and septoplasty (31%). No difference was found between outcomes when comparing the most common injuries cited, including wrongful death (P = .572), airway compromise (P = .376), and drug reaction (P = .443). If failure to recognize a complication (P = .034) or delay in diagnosis (P = .026) was a component of the legal allegations, the outcome significantly favored the plaintiff. The median settlement ($545,000) and plaintiff award ($1.45 million) were not significantly different (P = .13). The majority of outcomes favored the defendant. Type of injury did not predict outcome. Failure to recognize complications and delay in diagnosis strongly predicted a verdict in favor of the plaintiff. 2c. © 2014 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.

A study on the efficacy and safety of combining dental surgery with tonsillectomy in pediatrics

PubMed Central

Syed, Faizaan; Uffman, Joshua C; Tumin, Dmitry; Flaitz, Catherine M; Tobias, Joseph D; Raman, Vidya T

2018-01-01

Purpose Few data exist on combining pediatric surgical procedures under a single general anesthetic encounter (general anesthesia). We compared perioperative outcomes of combining dental surgical procedures with tonsillectomy during one anesthetic vs separate encounters. Methods We classified elective tonsillectomy ± adenoidectomy and restorative dentistry as combined (group C) or separate (group S). Outcomes included anesthesia time, recovery duration, the need for overnight hospital stay, and postoperative complications. Results Patients aged 4±1 years underwent tonsillectomy and dental surgery in combination (n=7) or separately (n=27). No differences were noted in total anesthesia time (C: median: 150, interquartile range [IQR]: 99, 165 vs S: median: 109, IQR: 92, 132; 95% CI of difference in median: −58, +10 minutes; P=0.115) and total recovery time (C: median: 54, IQR: 40, 108 vs S: median: 72, IQR: 58, 109; 95% CI of difference in median: −16, +48 minutes; P=0.307). The need for overnight stay (C: 4 of 7, S: 20 of 27; P=0.394) did not differ between the groups. No postoperative complications were noted in either group. Conclusion These preliminary data support the potential feasibility of combining dental procedures with tonsillectomy during a single anesthetic encounter. Such care may not only reduce costs but also limit parental work absences and increase convenience for patient families. When compared with procedures performed separately, combined procedures did not result in increased morbidity or significant changes in postoperative outcomes. PMID:29628777

A study on the efficacy and safety of combining dental surgery with tonsillectomy in pediatrics.

PubMed

Syed, Faizaan; Uffman, Joshua C; Tumin, Dmitry; Flaitz, Catherine M; Tobias, Joseph D; Raman, Vidya T

2018-01-01

Few data exist on combining pediatric surgical procedures under a single general anesthetic encounter (general anesthesia). We compared perioperative outcomes of combining dental surgical procedures with tonsillectomy during one anesthetic vs separate encounters. We classified elective tonsillectomy ± adenoidectomy and restorative dentistry as combined (group C) or separate (group S). Outcomes included anesthesia time, recovery duration, the need for overnight hospital stay, and postoperative complications. Patients aged 4±1 years underwent tonsillectomy and dental surgery in combination (n=7) or separately (n=27). No differences were noted in total anesthesia time (C: median: 150, interquartile range [IQR]: 99, 165 vs S: median: 109, IQR: 92, 132; 95% CI of difference in median: -58, +10 minutes; P =0.115) and total recovery time (C: median: 54, IQR: 40, 108 vs S: median: 72, IQR: 58, 109; 95% CI of difference in median: -16, +48 minutes; P =0.307). The need for overnight stay (C: 4 of 7, S: 20 of 27; P =0.394) did not differ between the groups. No postoperative complications were noted in either group. These preliminary data support the potential feasibility of combining dental procedures with tonsillectomy during a single anesthetic encounter. Such care may not only reduce costs but also limit parental work absences and increase convenience for patient families. When compared with procedures performed separately, combined procedures did not result in increased morbidity or significant changes in postoperative outcomes.

Otolaryngology Service Usage in Children With Cleft Palate.

PubMed

Whittemore, Kenneth R; Dargie, Jenna M; Dornan, Briana K; Boudreau, Brian

2018-05-01

To determine the usage of otolaryngology services by children with cleft palate at a pediatric tertiary care facility. Retrospective case series. Specialty clinic at a pediatric tertiary care hospital. Children born between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2002, with the diagnosis of cleft palate or cleft lip and palate. A total of 41 female and 48 male patients were included. Total number of otolaryngology clinic visits and total number of otolaryngologic surgeries (tympanostomy tube placements and other otologic or upper airway procedures). In the first 5 years of life, these children utilized an average of 8.2 otolaryngology clinic visits (SD = 5.0; range: 1-22) and underwent 3.3 tympanostomy tube surgeries (SD = 2.0; range: 0-10). Seventy-three had their first tube placed at the time of palate repair, and 4 at the time of lip repair. Fifty-one (57.3%) required other otologic or upper airway procedures, including tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy (27 children), removal of tympanostomy tubes (24 children), tympanomastoidectomy (3 children), and tympanoplasty (14 children). Of the children who underwent other procedures, they underwent a mean of 1.67 (SD = 0.84; range: 1-4) surgeries. Children with cleft palate are at increased risk for eustachian tube dysfunction, frequently utilize otolaryngology care, and typically receive multiple sets of tympanostomy tubes. This study found that children with cleft palate receive on average of approximately 3 sets of tympanostomy tubes, and the majority required another otologic or upper airway surgery.

[Comparison between the effect of endoscopic-assisted low temperature plasma and electric planer on the treatment of adenoid hypertrophy: a Meta-analysis].

PubMed

Xie, Shaobing; Zhang, Yanni; Xu, Zhenhang; Zhang, Jianhui; Wu, Xuewen; Sun, Hong

2017-06-28

To compare the effect of endoscopic-assisted low temperature plasma (ELTP) and electric planer (EP) on the treatment of adenoid hypertrophy.
 Methods: We searched China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Weipu Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature (CMB), PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Database, and collected the randomized controlled studies regarding the effect of ELTP and EP on the treatment of adenoid hypertrophy from January 2007 to June 2016. Methodologies were used to evaluate the included studies, and Meta-analysis was performed by Revman 5.2.
 Results: Thirteen studies including 1 448 patients fulfilled the study requirement. Seven hundred and twenty-two patients were treated with ELTP, and 726 patients were treated with EP. The Meta-analysis showed: compared with EP, ELTP could improve the cure rare (OR=3.19, 95% CI 1.42 to 7.15, P=0.005), reduce the blood loss during surgery (MD=-20.35, 95% CI -20.84 to -19.87, P<0.001), shorten the operation time (MD=-15.71, 95% CI -18.06 to -12.17, P<0.001), and reduce the incidence of complications (OR=0.13, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.30, P<0.001), while there was no difference between the 2 groups in the postoperative residual rate of adenoid, postoperative hemorrhage rate and the rate of torus tubarius injury.
 Conclusion: Comparing with EP, ELTP shows more advantages in the adenoidectomy.

Fatal infectious mononucleosis with evidence suggestive of the development of B cell lymphoma.

PubMed

Hiroshima, Kenzo; Iyoda, Akira; Isobe, Kouichi; Ishii, Genichiro; Toyozaki, Tetsuya; Shibuya, Kiyoshi; Shimamura, Fumihiko; Haga, Yukiko; Okimoto, Yuri; Horie, Hiroshi; Harigaya, Kenichi; Ohwada, Hidemi

2003-09-01

A 4-year-old girl presented to a local hospital in August 1999 with fever and cervical lymphadenopathy. A diagnosis of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection was made and the patient was treated with corticosteroids. One month later she developed dyspnea secondary to tonsilar swelling, and underwent tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. Her dyspnea increased, however, and by mid September she required mechanical ventilation. Six weeks later, she was transferred to Chiba Children's Hospital (Chiba, Japan). Despite vigorous treatment, she died within four weeks of admission. At autopsy, microscopic examination revealed numerous histiocytes with frequent hemophagocytosis in her lungs, liver, spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes. The tentative diagnosis was EBV-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (EBVAHS). A proliferation of atypical lymphocytes was observed in the lymph nodes, the majority of which stained positive with CD79a antibody. A whitish nodule, 8 mm in diameter, was noted in her right ovary. It consisted of a proliferation of pleomorphic lymphoid cells expressing CD79a antigen. In situ hybridization detected EBV RNA within CD79a antigen-positive cells in the lungs, spleen, thymus, bone marrow, lymph nodes, and the right ovary. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of DNA from the ovarian nodule demonstrated a monoclonal rearrangement of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene indicating that it consisted of a clone of B lymphocytes. We suggest that EBVAHS develops into polyclonal and monoclonal lymphoproliferative disorder in a short period, and that EBVAHS is a preneoplastic condition that may result in B cell lymphoma.

Drug-induced sedation endoscopy in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

PubMed

Boudewyns, A; Verhulst, S; Maris, M; Saldien, V; Van de Heyning, P

2014-12-01

To describe the pattern of upper airway (UA) obstruction during drug-induced sedation endoscopy (DISE) and to evaluate the outcome of DISE-directed treatment. Prospective study of DISE in surgically naive obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) children without syndromic comorbidity or craniofacial abnormalities. Treatment was individually tailored according to UA findings during DISE and polysomnographic data. Reported values are median (lower-upper quartile). Thirty-seven children aged 4.1 years (2.1-6.0), with body mass index z-score 0.3 (-0.9 to 0.9), and obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (oAHI) 9.0/h (6.1-19.3) were included. Adenotonsillar obstruction was found in 33 cases (89%) as an isolated entity or as part of a multi-level obstruction. These children were treated with adenotonsillectomy (n = 28), adenoidectomy (n = 3), or tonsillectomy (n = 2). The remaining four patients received non-surgical treatment. Pre-postoperative polysomnographic data in 22 patients showed a significant improvement in oAHI from 8.6/h (6.7-20.7) to 1.0/h (0.6-2.0) (P = 0.001). Only two of these 22 children had residual OSAS (oAHI ≥ 5/h), indicating a success rate of 91%. Based on UA findings during DISE, a non-surgical treatment was proposed for 11% of children. A 91% success rate was obtained in those treated with (adeno)tonsillectomy. These data suggest that DISE may be helpful to identify patients most likely to benefit from UA surgery. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ibuprofen with acetaminophen for postoperative pain control following tonsillectomy does not increase emergency department utilization.

PubMed

Bedwell, Joshua R; Pierce, Matthew; Levy, Michelle; Shah, Rahul K

2014-12-01

To compare the performance of ibuprofen vs codeine for postoperative pain management after tonsillectomy as measured by need for emergency department (ED) treatment for pain and/or dehydration. Retrospective case series with chart review. Tertiary children's hospital. Consecutive series of patients who underwent tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy at a tertiary children's hospital. Patients were categorized based on the type of postoperative pain management (acetaminophen with codeine vs acetaminophen and ibuprofen). The main outcome measure was the proportion of patients requiring ED visits or inpatient admissions for inadequate pain control or dehydration. Secondary measures included antibiotic use, postoperative hemorrhage, need for return to the operating room, vomiting, and oral diet tolerance. Patients in the ibuprofen/acetaminophen group were younger than those in the codeine/acetaminophen group (6.2 vs 8.1 years, P < .05). Patients in the codeine/acetaminophen group were more likely to use antibiotics in the postoperative period (50.3% vs 5.9%, P < .05). The proportion of patients requiring ED visits or inpatient admission for dehydration was not significantly different between the groups (5.1% for codeine, 2.7% for ibuprofen, P = .12). Multivariable analysis controlling for age and antibiotic use showed no difference in ED visits or admission for dehydration (P = .09). There was no difference between the groups for any of the secondary measures. Ibuprofen with acetaminophen represents a safe and acceptable analgesic alternative to codeine and acetaminophen in patients undergoing pediatric tonsillectomy. © American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation 2014.

Asymptomatic cardiopulmonary changes caused by adenoid hypertrophy.

PubMed

Abdel-Aziz, Mosaad

2011-07-01

Adenoid hypertrophy is the most common cause of pediatric upper airway obstruction, and it can lead to cardiopulmonary complications such as pulmonary hypertension, cor pulmonale, and even heart failure. The aim of this study was to detect the asymptomatic cardiopulmonary changes that could happen in children with adenoid hypertrophy.Eighty children with adenoid hypertrophy were included in this study. Chest x-ray was used to assess the cardiothoracic ratio, whereas echocardiography was used for measuring the pulmonary arterial pressures, right ventricular diastolic filling parameters, and right ventricular end-diastolic diameters. All patients underwent adenoidectomy with or without tonsillectomy, and they were subjected again to echocardiographic assessment 6 months after the operation. No patient showed an increase in the cardiothoracic ratio on x-ray. Preoperative echocardiography showed an increase in pulmonary artery pressure (22.7 [SD, 3.8] mm Hg), a decrease in right ventricular diastolic filling parameters (E/A = 1.03 [SD, 0.17]), and an increase in right ventricular end-diastolic diameters (1.89 [SD, 0.19] cm). Postoperatively, pulmonary artery pressure decreased to 17.2 [SD, 2.1] mm Hg, right ventricular diastolic filling (E/A) increased to 1.25 [SD, 0.11], and right ventricular end-diastolic diameters decreased to 1.68 [SD, 0.12] cm. The comparison between preoperative and postoperative results for each individual parameter was statistically significant. Clinically asymptomatic cardiopulmonary changes due to adenoid hypertrophy are not rare. Early diagnosis and treatment of upper airway obstruction can prevent these serious complications. Echocardiographic examination should be recommended for these patients as a part of preoperative preparation to avoid anesthetic complications.

Snoring during early childhood and academic performance at ages thirteen to fourteen years.

PubMed

Gozal, D; Pope, D W

2001-06-01

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in young children is associated with an adverse effect on learning. However, the long-term impact of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) during early childhood on learning remains unknown. Questionnaires were mailed to seventh and eighth graders attending public schools whose class ranking was either in the top 25% (high performance [HP]) or bottom 25% of their class (low performance [LP]), and who were matched for age, gender, race, school, and street of residence. Snoring frequency and loudness at 2 to 6 years of age, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A) for snoring or recurrent infection, school grades, and parental smoking and snoring were assessed. The questionnaire response rate was 82.8%. Because of ongoing ring, 13 responders were excluded, such that 1588 questionnaires could be analyzed (797 in LP and 791 in HP group). Frequent and loud snoring during early childhood was reported in 103 LP children (12.9%) compared with 40 HP children (5.1%; odds ratio: 2.79; confidence interval: 1.88-4.15). Furthermore, 24 LP and 7 HP children underwent T&A for snoring (odds ratio: 3.40; confidence interval: 1.47-7.84), while 21 LP and 19 HP children required surgery for recurrent tonsillitis. Children with lower academic performance in middle school are more likely to have snored during early childhood and to require T&A for snoring compared with better performing schoolmates. These findings support the concept that SDB-associated neurocognitive morbidity may be only partially reversible or that a "learning debt" may develop with SDB during early childhood and hamper subsequent school performance.

Children's drawings as a measure of anxiety level: a clinical pilot study.

PubMed

Puura, Arto; Puura, Kaija; Rorarius, Michael; Annila, Päivi; Viitanen, Hanna; Baer, Gerhard

2005-03-01

No simple method exists to distinguish children in need for premedication. The present study was planned to detect preoperative anxiety levels of children by rating their drawings. Sixty ASA I children aged 4-7 years undergoing adenoidectomy were divided into AGIT and CALM groups according to agitation level observed during venous cannulation. All children drew a picture at three different times: (i) just after arrival in the day-case unit, (ii) 10 min before operation and, (iii) prior to leaving for home. The children were also randomized to three premedication groups: group D, rectal diazepam 0.5 mg x kg(-1); group P, 0.9% NaCl 0.1 ml x kg(-1) rectally; group NT, no premedication. Five features (size of the drawing, form of the drawing line, colors used, mark of the pen and clarity of the picture) from the children's drawings were rated with a 3-point scale. The ratings of each feature were made to form a sum score of anxiety ranging from 0 to 10. In the analysis of variance for repeated measures both the premedication group and agitation score were taken into the model as factors. The anxiety score of the drawings of the agitated children (during venous cannulation) was significantly higher already after arrival in the hospital [AGIT 4.76 (95% CI: 3.56-5.96) Vs CALM 3.67 (95% CI: 2.97-4.37) P = 0.029], but there were no statistical differences between the different premedication groups. When routine sedative premedication is not used the drawings of the children might detect the children needing sedative premedication.

Pain after pediatric otorhinolaryngologic surgery: a prospective multi-center trial.

PubMed

Guntinas-Lichius, Orlando; Volk, Gerd Fabian; Geissler, Katharina; Komann, Marcus; Meissner, Winfried

2014-07-01

The purpose of this study was to describe postoperative pain within the first day after pediatric otorhinolaryngologic surgery and to identify factors influencing postoperative pain. Using a prospective evaluation and a Web-based multi-center registry, children ≥4 years of age (n = 365) rated their pain using questionnaires of the project Quality Improvement in Postoperative Pain Treatment for Children including faces numeric rating scales (FNRS, 0-10) for the determination of patient's pain on ambulation and his/her maximal and minimal pain within 8 h after day case surgery or at the first postoperative day for inpatient cases. Additionally, functional interference and therapy-related side effects were assessed. Half of the children were 4 or 5 years of age. The predominant types of surgery were adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy ± ear ventilation tubes. Although analgesics were applied preoperatively, intraoperatively, in the recovery room and on ward, maximal pain within the first day after surgery reached 4.4 ± 3.3 (FNRS). Pain was highest after oral surgery, especially after tonsillectomy and nose surgery. 39% of the children reported pain interference with breathing (39%). The most frequent side effect was drowsiness (55%). Multivariate analysis revealed that maximal pain was independently associated with the non-standardized use of opioids in the recovery room, or use of non-opioid or opioids on ward. Analgesia and perioperative pain management in pediatric otorhinolaryngologic surgery seems to be highly variable. Tonsillectomy and nose surgery are very painful. After otorhinolaryngologic surgery many children seem to receive less analgesia than needed or ineffective analgesic drug regimes.

Remission and incidence of obstructive sleep apnea from middle childhood to late adolescence.

PubMed

Spilsbury, James C; Storfer-Isser, Amy; Rosen, Carol L; Redline, Susan

2015-01-01

To study the incidence, remission, and prediction of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) from middle childhood to late adolescence. Longitudinal analysis. The Cleveland Children's Sleep and Health Study, an ethnically mixed, urban, community-based cohort, followed 8 y. There were 490 participants with overnight polysomnography data available at ages 8-11 and 16-19 y. Baseline participant characteristics and health history were ascertained from parent report and US census data. OSA was defined as an obstructive apnea- hypopnea index ≥ 5 or an obstructive apnea index ≥ 1. OSA prevalence was approximately 4% at each examination, but OSA largely did not persist from middle childhood to late adolescence. Habitual snoring and obesity predicted OSA in cross-sectional analyses at each time point. Residence in a disadvantaged neighborhood, African-American race, and premature birth also predicted OSA in middle childhood, whereas male sex, high body mass index, and history of tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy were risk factors among adolescents. Obesity, but not habitual snoring, in middle childhood predicted adolescent OSA. Because OSA in middle childhood usually remitted by adolescence and most adolescent cases were incident cases, criteria other than concern alone over OSA persistence or incidence should be used when making treatment decisions for pediatric OSA. Moreover, OSA's distinct risk factors at each time point underscore the need for alternative risk-factor assessments across pediatric ages. The greater importance of middle childhood obesity compared to snoring in predicting adolescent OSA provides support for screening, preventing, and treating obesity in childhood. © 2014 Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC.

Factors related to persisting perforations after ventilation tube insertion.

PubMed

O'Connell Ferster, Ashley P; Tanner, April Michelle; Karikari, Kodjo; Roberts, Christopher; Wiltz, Derek; Carr, Michele M

2016-02-01

Over a million ventilation tubes are placed annually in the United States, making this one of the most commonly performed procedures in the field of medicine. Certain factors increase the risk of persistent tympanic membrane perforation following the extrusion of short term ventilation tubes. Persistent perforations may fail to heal on their own, necessitating surgical closure to avoid conductive hearing loss. It is important to detect factors that may predict children who are at increased risk for persistent perforations. This study was a retrospective chart review that involved 757 patients between 2003 and 2008. The patients studied were within the age of 2 months-17 years, and all had short term tubes placed. The chart data also included demographic information, comorbidities, and information related to tube insertion and follow-up care. Chi-square, t-test, and multivariate logistic regression were conducted to compare variables between patients with perforations and those without. Data from 757 patients was analyzed, showing that perforation rate is associated with rhinorrhea, operative tube removal, aural polyps, and otorrhea (OR 1.72, 8.16, 4.69, and 1.72 respectively). The absence of otorrhea decreased the likelihood of TM perforations and no significant differences were found in gender, total number of sets of tubes, type of tube, use of nasal steroids, adenoidectomy, or nasal congestion. Our findings suggest that children with rhinorrhea, otorrhea, aural polyps, or prolonged intubation requiring operative tube removal should be identified clinically as children at risk of persisting perforation. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Biomechanics of the soft-palate in sleep apnea patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

PubMed

Subramaniam, Dhananjay Radhakrishnan; Arens, Raanan; Wagshul, Mark E; Sin, Sanghun; Wootton, David M; Gutmark, Ephraim J

2018-05-17

Highly compliant tissue supporting the pharynx and low muscle tone enhance the possibility of upper airway occlusion in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The present study describes subject-specific computational modeling of flow-induced velopharyngeal narrowing in a female child with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) with OSA and a non-OSA control. Anatomically accurate three-dimensional geometries of the upper airway and soft-palate were reconstructed for both subjects using magnetic resonance (MR) images. A fluid-structure interaction (FSI) shape registration analysis was performed using subject-specific values of flow rate to iteratively compute the biomechanical properties of the soft-palate. The optimized shear modulus for the control was 38 percent higher than the corresponding value for the OSA patient. The proposed computational FSI model was then employed for planning surgical treatment for the apneic subject. A virtual surgery comprising of a combined adenoidectomy, palatoplasty and genioglossus advancement was performed to estimate the resulting post-operative patterns of airflow and tissue displacement. Maximum flow velocity and velopharyngeal resistance decreased by 80 percent and 66 percent respectively following surgery. Post-operative flow-induced forces on the anterior and posterior faces of the soft-palate were equilibrated and the resulting magnitude of tissue displacement was 63 percent lower compared to the pre-operative case. Results from this pilot study indicate that FSI computational modeling can be employed to characterize the mechanical properties of pharyngeal tissue and evaluate the effectiveness of various upper airway surgeries prior to their application. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Utility of Adjunctive Procedures With Balloon Dilation of the Eustachian Tube.

PubMed

Ashry, Yehia; Kawai, Kosuke; Poe, Dennis

2017-12-01

To assess the role and effect of concomitant adjunctive procedures when combined with balloon dilation of the Eustachian tube (BDET), including a new technique for treating obstructive disease within the bony Eustachian tube (ET). Retrospective case series. Tertiary medical center. Adults with persistent (≥2 years): 1) OME or non-fixed TM retraction AND type B or C tympanogram OR 2) Consistent symptoms of barochallenge with flights or diving, all despite medical treatment for ≥6 weeks. Balloon dilation of the cartilaginous ET (BDET) was performed under general anesthesia using concomitant myringotomy with or without tube placement if indicated. Adjunctive turbinectomy, adenoidectomy, and/or tympanoplasty were used in selected cases. For suspected disease in the bony ET, an illuminated guidewire was used for probing and clearing the lumen. Outcome measures were tympanogram, otomicroscopy, ET mucosal inflammation score, Valsalva maneuver, and PTA audiometry. 67 ETs (48 patients) underwent BDET: 1) 30/67 balloon w/wo myringotomy, w/wo tube, 2) 20/67 plus adjunctive procedure or 3) 17/67 plus guidewire. Follow-up was ranging from 0.4 to 3.4 years (mean 1.3 year, SD = 0.7). Significant improvement occurred in 79%. There was no significant difference in the failure rate comparing balloon dilation with adjunctive procedures 5/20 (25%) or without adjunctive procedures; 4/30 p  = 0.45 (13%). Failure rate for BDET plus guide wire was 5/17 (29%) and resistance within the bony ET occurred in 8/17 (47%). Balloon dilation of the cartilaginous ET demonstrated significant improvement despite expansion of indications that necessitated the addition of adjunctive procedures. 4.

[Duration of middle ear ventilation after laser myringotomy with the CO2 laser otoscope Otoscan].

PubMed

Sedlmaier, B; Jivanjee, A; Gutzler, R; Huscher, D; Jovanovic, S

2001-06-01

The most important principle in treating secretory otitis media (SOM) is ventilation of the tympanic cavity. CO2 laser myringotomy achieves this via a self-healing perforation whose diameter essentially determines the duration of transtympanic ventilation. In this study, laser myringotomy was performed with the CO2 laser otoscope Otoscan in a homogeneous patient collective comprising 81 children (159 ears) suffering from SOM. The tympanic intervention was combined with an adenoidectomy or a CO2 laser tonsillotomy and therefore performed under general insufflation anesthesia. In all ears, approximately 2 mm circular perforations were created in the lower anterior quadrants with a power of 12-15 W and a pulse duration of 180 ms. None of the children showed postoperative impairment of inner ear function. Otomicroscopic and videoendoscopic monitoring documented the healing process. The mean closure time was found to be 16.35 days (8-34 days). As a rule, an onion-skin-like membrane of keratinized material was seen in the former myringotomy perforations at the time of closure. At the follow-up 6 months later the laser myringotomy sites appeared normal and irritation-free. Two of the tympanic membranes (1.6%) examined showed atrophic scar formation, one (0.8%) a perforation with a diameter of 0.5 mm. In 19 ears (14.7%) there was a recurrence of SOM within the observation period. Laser myringotomy competes with ventilation tube insertion in the treatment of SOM. It may be an useful alternative in the surgical management of secretory otitis media.

A study of the course of the internal carotid artery in the parapharyngeal space and its clinical importance.

PubMed

Ozgur, Zuhal; Celik, Servet; Govsa, Figen; Aktug, Hüseyin; Ozgur, Tomris

2007-12-01

The differences in the course and shape of the internal carotid artery (ICA) in the parapharyngeal space were investigated to determine the possible risks for serious hemorrhage during tonsillectomy, drainage of peritonsillar abscess, soft palate injuries, adenoidectomy and velopharyngeoplasty. The course of the ICA was studied in the parapharyngeal spaces of 50 adult cadavers. From each specimen, circumferential sections were obtained and they stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Verhoeff's elastic staining. The cervical course of the ICA showed no curvature in 70 cases; but in 25 cases it had a medial curve, and five cases showed kinking out of a total 100 dissected carotid sheaths. In two cases, kinking of the ICA was related to the pharyngeal wall. The histological examination of all kinking specimens demonstrated depletion and decreasing muscle tissue in tunica media and an increase was observed in vasa vasorum numbers in the tunica adventitia of ICA. The dissections and integrity losses were seen in tunica media and tunica adventitia. The vessel wall of histological structure change were detected in kinking specimens and lays the groundwork for the vessel wall to get easily harmed or torn either directly or indirectly by decreasing the elasticity and soundness of the wall. The transposition of the ICA artery in submucous position becomes important for otorhinolaryngologists when its aberrant course causes a widening in the retropharyngeal or parapharyngeal tissues and an impression on the pharyngeal wall. Curving and kinking of the ICA can constitute a risk factor for acute hemorrhage in routine surgical procedures, which are performed by inexperienced surgeons.

Guidelines for the management and treatment of periodic fever syndromes: periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and adenitis syndrome.

PubMed

Terreri, Maria Teresa R A; Bernardo, Wanderley Marques; Len, Claudio Arnaldo; da Silva, Clovis Artur Almeida; de Magalhães, Cristina Medeiros Ribeiro; Sacchetti, Silvana B; Ferriani, Virgínia Paes Leme; Piotto, Daniela Gerent Petry; Cavalcanti, André de Souza; de Moraes, Ana Júlia Pantoja; Sztajnbok, Flavio Roberto; de Oliveira, Sheila Knupp Feitosa; Campos, Lucia Maria Arruda; Bandeira, Marcia; Santos, Flávia Patricia Sena Teixeira; Magalhães, Claudia Saad

2016-01-01

To establish guidelines based on scientific evidence for the management of periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome. The Guideline was prepared from 5 clinical questions that were structured through PICO (Patient, Intervention or indicator, Comparison and Outcome), to search in key primary scientific information databases. After defining the potential studies to support the recommendations, these were graduated considering their strength of evidence and grade of recommendation. 806 articles were retrieved and evaluated by title and abstract; from these, 32 articles were selected to support the recommendations. 1. PFAPA is a diagnosis of exclusion established on clinical grounds, and one must suspect of this problem in children with recurrent and periodic febrile episodes of unknown origin, or with recurrent tonsillitis interspersed with asymptomatic periods, especially in children in good general condition and with preservation of weight and height development. 2. Laboratory findings are nonspecific. Additional tests do not reveal pathognomonic changes. 3. The evidence supporting an indication for surgical treatment (tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy), is based on two non-blinded randomized clinical trials with small numbers of patients. 4. The use of prednisone at the onset of fever in patients with PFAPA proved to be an effective strategy. There is still need for more qualified evidence to support its use in patients with PFAPA. 5. Despite promising results obtained in studies with IL-1β inhibitors, such studies are limited to a few case reports. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

Malpractice claims and unintentional outcome of tonsil surgery and other standard procedures in otorhinolaryngology

PubMed Central

Windfuhr, Jochen P.

2015-01-01

Background: Septoplasty, tonsillectomy (with and without adenoidectomy) and cervical lymph node excision are amongst the most common 50 inpatient operations in Germany. Intracapsular tonsillectomies (i.e. tonsillotomies) are increasingly performed. The aim of this study was to evaluate technical traps and pitfalls as well as alleged medical malpractice associated with tonsillectomy (TE), adenoidectomy (AE), tonsillotomy (TT), septoplasty (SP) and cervical lymph node excision (LN). Methods: A questionnaire was sent to the Regional Medical Conciliation Boards, Medical Services of the Health Insurance Companies (MDK) and Regional Institutes of Forensic Medicine in Germany to collect anonymized cases of complications following TE, TT, AE, LN and SP. The results were discussed in the light of the contemporary medical literature and published trials and verdicts in Germany. Results: The response rate of our survey was 55.9%. The Institutes of Forensic Medicine contributed nine cases, 49 cases were submitted by the Regional Conciliation Boards and none by MDK. All forensic cases were associated with exsanguinations following tonsillectomy including two children (5 and 8 years of age) and seven adults (aged 20 to 69 years). The fatal post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH) had occurred 8.7 days on average; four patients experienced the bleeding episode at home (day 5, 8, 9 and 17, respectively). Repeated episodes of bleeding requiring surgical intervention had occurred in 6 patients. Three Conciliation Boards submitted decicions associated with TT (1), AE (4), LN (3), SP (16) and TE (25). Cases with lethal outcome were not registered. Only three of the 49 cases were assessed as surgical malpractice (6.1%) including lesion of the spinal accessory nerve, wrong indication for TE and dental lesion after insertion of the mouth gag. The review of the medico legal literature yielded 71 published verdicts after AE and TE (29), LN (28) and SP (14) of which 37 resulted in compensation of malpractice after LN (16; 57%), TE (10; 37%), SP (8; 57%) and AE (2; 100%). There were 16 cases of PTH amongst 27 trials after TE resulting either in death (5) or apallic syndrome (5). Bleeding complications had occurred on the day of surgery in only 2 patients. 16 trials were based on malpractice claims following SP encompassing lack of informed consent (6), anosmia (4), septal perforation (2), frontobasal injury (2) and dry nose (2). Trials after LN procedures were associated exclusively with a lesion of the spinal accessory nerve (28), including lack of informed consent in 19 cases. 49 cases (69%) were decided for the defendant, 22 (31%) were decided for the plaintiff with monetary compensation in 7 of 29 AE/TE-trials, 9 of 28 LN-trials and 6 of 14 SP-trials. Lack of informed consent was not registered for AE/TE but LN (11) and SP (2). Conclusion: Complicated cases following TE, TT, ATE, SP and LN are not systematically collected in Germany. It can be assumed, that not every complicated case is published in the medical literature or law journals and therefore not obtainable for scientific research. Alleged medical malpracice is proven for less than 6% before trial stage. Approximately half of all cases result in a plaintiff verdict or settlement at court. Proper documentation of a thourough counselling, examination, indication, informed consent and follow-up assists the surgeon in litigation. An adequate complication management of PTH is essential, including instructions for the patients/parents, instructions for the medical staff and readily available surgical instruments. Successful outcome of life-threatening PTH is widely based on a proper airway management in an interdisciplinary approach. Electrosurgical tonsillectomy techniques were repeatedly labeled as a risk factor for bleeding complications following TE. Institutions should analyse the individual PTH rate on a yearly basis. Contradictory expert opinions and verdicts of the courts concerning spinal accesory nerve lesions following LN are due to a lack of a surgical standard. PMID:24403976

[Asymmetric negative pressure pulmonary edema after acute upper airway obstruction: case report].

PubMed

Peixoto, Aldo José

2002-06-01

Negative pressure pulmonary edema after acute upper airway obstruction is a well-described event, though infrequently diagnosed and reported. This report aimed at presenting a case of upper airway obstruction negative pressure pulmonary edema following acute upper airway obstruction characterized by pulmonary edema asymmetry, being more prominent in the right lung. A 4-year-old boy, 17 kg, phisical status ASA I submitted to combined tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy and turbinate cauterization under general anesthesia with sevoflurane/nitrous oxide/O2. Surgery duration was 90 minutes without complications. During anesthetic recovery and spontaneously breathing, patient reacted to tracheal tube, which was removed. Following, ventilatory efforts resulted in chest wall retraction without apparent air movement, being impossible to ventilate him with facial mask. Symptoms evolved to severe hypoxemia (50% SpO2) requiring reintubation. At this point, it was observed that the lung was stiffer and there were bilateral rales characterizing pulmonary edema. A chest X-ray showed diffuse bilateral infiltrates, right upper lobe atelectasis and marked pulmonary edema asymmetry (right greater than left). Patient was mechanically ventilated with PEEP for 20 hours when he was extubated. There was a progressive pulmonary edema improvement and patient was discharged 48 hours later. Negative pressure pulmonary edema (NPPE) is a rare event with high morbidity risk. It is often not diagnosed and requires from the anesthesiologist an updated knowledge and adequate management. It is usually bilateral, rarely unilateral, and exceptionally asymmetric as in this case. Most cases are treated by mechanical ventilation with PEEP or CPAP without any other therapy. The prognosis is favorable, with most cases recovering within the first 24 hours.

Midline posterior glossectomy and lingual tonsillectomy in obese and nonobese children with down syndrome: Biomarkers for success.

PubMed

Propst, Evan J; Amin, Reshma; Talwar, Natasha; Zaman, Michele; Zweerink, Allison; Blaser, Susan; Zaarour, Christian; Luginbuehl, Igor; Karsli, Cengiz; Aziza, Albert; Forrest, Christopher; Drake, James; Narang, Indra

2017-03-01

To examine outcomes following midline posterior glossectomy (MPG) plus lingual tonsillectomy (LT) for the treatment of significant obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children with Down syndrome (DS). Patients with DS who had persistent OSA following tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (TA) and were relatively intolerant of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy were evaluated by physical examination and sleep/CINE magnetic resonance imaging to determine the etiology of upper airway obstruction. Patients with relative macroglossia underwent MPG plus LT if required. Successful surgical outcome was defined as the resolution of OSA or the ability to tolerate PAP. Thirteen children (8 male, 5 female), mean (standard deviation) age 14.2 (4.0) years underwent MPG plus LT. Fifty-four percent of patients were obese (Body mass index [BMI] > 95th centile) and 8% were overweight (BMI 85th-95th centile) preoperatively. All patients underwent pre- and postoperative polysomnography. Postoperatively, the obstructive apnea-hypopnea index fell significantly from 47.0/hour to 5.6/hour (P <.05) in normal weight individuals who did not become obese, but not in obese patients or those who became obese postoperatively. Successful surgical outcome was seen in all (N = 6) children who were normal weight or overweight preoperatively compared with none who were obese preoperatively (N = 7). Midline posterior glossectomy and LT are beneficial in normal weight and overweight children with DS who have persistent OSA following TA and are intolerant of PAP therapy. Obesity pre- or postoperatively portends a worse prognosis following MPG, suggesting that aggressive weight loss initiatives should be considered as an adjunct to surgery in this population. 4. Laryngoscope, 127:757-763, 2017. © 2016 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.

Otitis media.

PubMed

Schilder, Anne G M; Chonmaitree, Tasnee; Cripps, Allan W; Rosenfeld, Richard M; Casselbrant, Margaretha L; Haggard, Mark P; Venekamp, Roderick P

2016-09-08

Otitis media (OM) or middle ear inflammation is a spectrum of diseases, including acute otitis media (AOM), otitis media with effusion (OME; 'glue ear') and chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM). OM is among the most common diseases in young children worldwide. Although OM may resolve spontaneously without complications, it can be associated with hearing loss and life-long sequelae. In developing countries, CSOM is a leading cause of hearing loss. OM can be of bacterial or viral origin; during 'colds', viruses can ascend through the Eustachian tube to the middle ear and pave the way for bacterial otopathogens that reside in the nasopharynx. Diagnosis depends on typical signs and symptoms, such as acute ear pain and bulging of the tympanic membrane (eardrum) for AOM and hearing loss for OME; diagnostic modalities include (pneumatic) otoscopy, tympanometry and audiometry. Symptomatic management of ear pain and fever is the mainstay of AOM treatment, reserving antibiotics for children with severe, persistent or recurrent infections. Management of OME largely consists of watchful waiting, with ventilation (tympanostomy) tubes primarily for children with chronic effusions and hearing loss, developmental delays or learning difficulties. The role of hearing aids to alleviate symptoms of hearing loss in the management of OME needs further study. Insertion of ventilation tubes and adenoidectomy are common operations for recurrent AOM to prevent recurrences, but their effectiveness is still debated. Despite reports of a decline in the incidence of OM over the past decade, attributed to the implementation of clinical guidelines that promote accurate diagnosis and judicious use of antibiotics and to pneumococcal conjugate vaccination, OM continues to be a leading cause for medical consultation, antibiotic prescription and surgery in high-income countries.

Inpatient Pediatric Tonsillectomy: Does Hospital Type Affect Cost and Outcomes of Care?

PubMed

Raol, Nikhila; Zogg, Cheryl K; Boss, Emily F; Weissman, Joel S

2016-03-01

To ascertain whether hospital type is associated with differences in total cost and outcomes for inpatient tonsillectomy. Cross-sectional analysis of the 2006, 2009, and 2012 Kids' Inpatient Database (KID). Children ≤18 years of age undergoing tonsillectomy with/without adenoidectomy were included. Risk-adjusted generalized linear models assessed for differences in hospital cost and length of stay (LOS) among children managed by (1) non-children's teaching hospitals (NCTHs), (2) children's teaching hospitals (CTHs), and (3) nonteaching hospitals (NTHs). Risk-adjusted logistic regression compared the odds of major perioperative complications (hemorrhage, respiratory failure, death). Models accounted for clustering of patients within hospitals, were weighted to provide national estimates, and controlled for comorbidities. The 25,685 tonsillectomies recorded in the KID yielded a national estimate of 40,591 inpatient tonsillectomies performed in 2006, 2009, and 2012. The CTHs had significantly higher risk-adjusted total cost and LOS per tonsillectomy compared with NCTHs and NTHs ($9423.34/2.8 days, $6250.78/2.11 days, and $5905.10/2.08 days, respectively; P < .001). The CTHs had higher odds of complications compared with NCTHs (odds ratio [OR], 1.48; 95% CI, 1.15-1.91; P = .002) but not when compared with NTHs (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.89-1.59; P = .23). The CTHs were significantly more likely to care for patients with comorbidities (P < .001). Significant differences in costs, outcomes, and patient factors exist for inpatient tonsillectomy based on hospital type. Although reasons for these differences are not discernable using isolated claims data, findings provide a foundation to further evaluate patient, institutional, and system-level factors that may reduce cost of care and improve value for inpatient tonsillectomy. © American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation 2015.

Movement Distribution: A New Measure of Sleep Fragmentation in Children with Upper Airway Obstruction

PubMed Central

Coussens, Scott; Baumert, Mathias; Kohler, Mark; Martin, James; Kennedy, Declan; Lushington, Kurt; Saint, David; Pamula, Yvonne

2014-01-01

Study Objectives: To develop a measure of sleep fragmentation in children with upper airway obstruction based on survival curve analysis of sleep continuity. Design: Prospective repeated measures. Setting: Hospital sleep laboratory. Participants: 92 children aged 3.0 to 12.9 years undergoing 2 overnight polysomnographic (PSG) sleep studies, 6 months apart. Subjects were divided into 3 groups based on their obstructive apnea and hypopnea index (OAHI) and other upper airway obstruction (UAO) symptoms: primary snorers (PS; n = 24, OAHI < 1), those with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS; n = 20, OAHI ≥ 1) and non-snoring controls (C; n = 48, OAHI < 1). Interventions: Subjects in the PS and OSAS groups underwent tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy between PSG assessments. Measurements and Results: Post hoc measures of movement and contiguous sleep epochs were exported and analyzed using Kaplan-Meier estimates of survival to generate survival curves for the 3 groups. Statistically significant differences were found between these group curves for sleep continuity (P < 0.05) when using movement events as the sleep fragmenting event, but not if stage 1 NREM sleep or awakenings were used. Conclusion: Using conventional indices of sleep fragmentation in survival curve analysis of sleep continuity does not provide a useful measure of sleep fragmentation in children with upper airway obstruction. However, when sleep continuity is defined as the time between gross body movements, a potentially useful clinical measure is produced. Citation: Coussens S, Baumert M, Kohler M, Martin J, Kennedy D, Lushington K, Saint D, Pamula Y. Movement distribution: a new measure of sleep fragmentation in children with upper airway obstruction. SLEEP 2014;37(12):2025-2034. PMID:25325486

Utility of Adjunctive Procedures With Balloon Dilation of the Eustachian Tube

PubMed Central

Ashry, Yehia; Kawai, Kosuke

2017-01-01

Objective To assess the role and effect of concomitant adjunctive procedures when combined with balloon dilation of the Eustachian tube (BDET), including a new technique for treating obstructive disease within the bony Eustachian tube (ET). Study Design Retrospective case series. Setting Tertiary medical center. Subjects Adults with persistent (≥2 years): 1) OME or non‐fixed TM retraction AND type B or C tympanogram OR 2) Consistent symptoms of barochallenge with flights or diving, all despite medical treatment for ≥6 weeks. Methods Balloon dilation of the cartilaginous ET (BDET) was performed under general anesthesia using concomitant myringotomy with or without tube placement if indicated. Adjunctive turbinectomy, adenoidectomy, and/or tympanoplasty were used in selected cases. For suspected disease in the bony ET, an illuminated guidewire was used for probing and clearing the lumen. Outcome measures were tympanogram, otomicroscopy, ET mucosal inflammation score, Valsalva maneuver, and PTA audiometry. Results 67 ETs (48 patients) underwent BDET: 1) 30/67 balloon w/wo myringotomy, w/wo tube, 2) 20/67 plus adjunctive procedure or 3) 17/67 plus guidewire. Follow‐up was ranging from 0.4 to 3.4 years (mean 1.3 year, SD = 0.7). Significant improvement occurred in 79%. There was no significant difference in the failure rate comparing balloon dilation with adjunctive procedures 5/20 (25%) or without adjunctive procedures; 4/30 p = 0.45 (13%). Failure rate for BDET plus guide wire was 5/17 (29%) and resistance within the bony ET occurred in 8/17 (47%). Conclusion Balloon dilation of the cartilaginous ET demonstrated significant improvement despite expansion of indications that necessitated the addition of adjunctive procedures. Level of Evidence 4 PMID:29299505

Diagnosing subtle palatal anomalies: Validation of video-analysis and assessment protocol for diagnosing occult submucous cleft palate.

PubMed

Rourke, Ryan; Weinberg, Seth M; Marazita, Mary L; Jabbour, Noel

2017-09-01

Submucous cleft palate (SMCP) classically involves bifid uvula, zona pellucida, and notched hard palate. However, patients may present with more subtle anatomic abnormalities. The ability to detect these abnormalities is important for surgeons managing velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) or considering adenoidectomy. Validate an assessment protocol for diagnosis of occult submucous cleft palate (OSMCP) and identify physical examination features present in patients with OSMCP in the relaxed and activated palate positions. Study participants included patients referred to a pediatric VPD clinic with concern for hypernasality or SMCP. Using an appropriately encrypted iPod touch, transoral video was obtained for each patient with the palate in the relaxed and activated positions. The videos were reviewed by two otolaryngologists in normal speed and slow-motion, as needed, and a questionnaire was completed by each reviewer pertaining to the anatomy and function of the palate. 47 patients, with an average age of 4.6 years, were included in the study over a one-year period. Four videos were unusable due to incomplete view of the palate. The most common palatal abnormality noted was OSMCP, diagnosed by each reviewer in 26/43 and 30/43 patients respectively. Using the assessment protocol, agreement on palatal diagnosis was 83.7% (kappa = 0.68), indicating substantial agreement, with the most prevalent anatomic features being vaulted palate elevation (96%) and visible notching of hard palate (75%). The diagnosis of subtle palatal anomalies is difficult and can be subjective. Using the proposed video-analysis method and assessment protocol may improve reliability of diagnosis of OSMCP. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Prevalence and Quantitation of Species C Adenovirus DNA in Human Mucosal Lymphocytes

PubMed Central

Garnett, C. T.; Erdman, D.; Xu, W.; Gooding, Linda R.

2002-01-01

The common species C adenoviruses (serotypes Ad1, Ad2, Ad5, and Ad6) infect more than 80% of the human population early in life. Following primary infection, the virus can establish an asymptomatic persistent infection in which infectious virions are shed in feces for several years. The probable source of persistent virus is mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, although the molecular details of persistence or latency of adenovirus are currently unknown. In this study, a sensitive real-time PCR assay was developed to quantitate species C adenovirus DNA in human tissues removed for routine tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy. Using this assay, species C DNA was detected in Ficoll-purified lymphocytes from 33 of 42 tissue specimens tested (79%). The levels varied from fewer than 10 to greater than 2 × 106 copies of the adenovirus genome/107 cells, depending on the donor. DNA from serotypes Ad1, Ad2, and Ad5 was detected, while the rarer serotype Ad6 was not. When analyzed as a function of donor age, the highest levels of adenovirus genomes were found among the youngest donors. Antibody-coated magnetic beads were used to purify lymphocytes into subpopulations and determine whether viral DNA could be enriched within any purified subpopulations. Separation of T cells (CD4/8- expressing and/or CD3-expressing cells) enriched viral DNA in each of nine donors tested. In contrast, B-cell purification (CD19-expressing cells) invariably depleted or eliminated viral DNA. Despite the frequent finding of significant quantities of adenovirus DNA in tonsil and adenoid tissues, infectious virus was rarely present, as measured by coculture with permissive cells. These findings suggest that human mucosal T lymphocytes may harbor species C adenoviruses in a quiescent, perhaps latent form. PMID:12368303

Effects of dietary habits and risk factors on allergic rhinitis prevalence among Turkish adolescents.

PubMed

Tamay, Zeynep; Akcay, Ahmet; Ergin, Ahmet; Guler, Nermin

2013-09-01

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a global health problem affecting many people from childhood to adulthood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of AR and related symptoms, and to assess the risk factors, dietary habits and the Mediterranean diet affecting AR. In a cross-sectional study design, 9991 children, aged 13-14 years in 61 primary schools in 32 districts of Istanbul were evaluated. The prevalence of AR symptoms among the children was evaluated using the ISAAC protocol. In our study, total of 10,984 questionnaires were distributed to 13-14yr-old schoolchildren to 61 schools in 32 district of Istanbul and 9991 questionnaires were suitable for analysis with an overall response of 91.7%. The rates of lifetime rhinitis, rhinitis in last 12 months and lifetime doctor diagnosed AR prevalence were 53.5%, 38.3% and 4.5%, respectively. The variation among districts in the prevalence of doctor diagnosed AR was very high. The highest prevalence was about 10 times higher than in the district with the lowest prevalence (range: 1.4-14.5) of Istanbul. A family history of atopy, mother with a university degree, presence of cat at home during last 12 months and adenoidectomy were significant for increased doctor diagnosed AR risk. Additionally, although fish and other sea foods, fermented drinks made from millets and various seeds, animal fats and butter were independent risk factors for doctor diagnosed AR, fish oil and hamburger were protective foods for doctor diagnosed AR. The MD was not associated with the prevalence of doctor diagnosed AR. This study shows that that there are wide variations for the prevalence of AR related symptoms in 13-14yr-old schoolchildren among districts of Istanbul in Turkey. Socio-economical, environmental factors, some dietary habits, but not Mediterranean diet may affect the prevalence of AR. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Relative bioavailability and plasma paracetamol profiles of Panadol suppositories in children.

PubMed

Coulthard, K P; Nielson, H W; Schroder, M; Covino, A; Matthews, N T; Murray, R S; Van Der Walt, J H

1998-10-01

To determine the relative bioavailability and plasma paracetamol concentration profiles following administration of a proprietary formulation of paracetamol suppositories to postoperative children. Study A-eight children undergoing minor surgery had blood samples collected following the rectal administration of either a 250 mg or 500 mg paracetamol suppository on one day and an equivalent oral dose on the following day. A mean dose of 13 mg/kg gave a mean Cmax (Tmax) of 7.7 mg/L (1.6 h) and 4.9 mg/L (2.0 h) following oral and rectal administration, respectively. The mean relative rectal bioavailability was 78% (95% confidence interval of 55-101%). Study B-20 children undergoing tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy were randomly assigned to receive a postoperative dose of 500 mg of paracetamol either as 2 x 250 mg liquid filled or 1 x 500 mg hard wax Panadol suppository. A mean dose of 25 mg/kg produced mean maximum plasma paracetamol concentrations of 13.2 mg/L and 14.5 mg/L at 2.1 and 1.9 h for the hard and liquid filled suppository, respectively. The absorption rate constants and areas under the curves suggested no difference in the rate or extent of absorption between the two formulations. Absorption of paracetamol following rectal administration of Panadol suppositories to postoperative children is slower and reduced as compared to oral therapy. The hard wax and liquid filled products have similar absorption characteristics. The usually quoted antipyretic therapeutic range for paracetamol is 10-20 mg/L, although 5 mg/L may be effective. A single rectal dose of 25 mg/kg will obtain this lower concentration within 1 h of administration and maintain it for up to 6 h. When given in an appropriate dose for analgesia, maximum plasma paracetamol concentrations would be available in the immediate postoperative period if the rectal dose was given 2 h before the planned end of the procedure.

The effect of adenotonsillectomy on serum insulin like growth factors and the adenoid/nasopharynx ratio in pediatric patients: a blind, prospective clinical study.

PubMed

Tatlıpınar, Arzu; Atalay, Sacide; Esen, Erkan; Yılmaz, Gökalp; Köksal, Sema; Gökçeer, Tanju

2012-02-01

Obstructive adenoid and tonsillar hyperplasia may present with retardation of growth. An adenoid-nasopharynx (A/N) ratio determined by means of lateral cephalometric radiographs has long been used as a diagnostic tool in the assessment of adenoid size. This study was designed to investigate the effect of adenotonsillectomy on insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels and correlation between A/N ratio and IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels. Patients (n=48) that had been operated on our clinic with a diagnosis of adenotonsillar hypertrophy between July 2009 and January 2010 were included in the study. The routine ear-nose and throat examination was done in all patients. Blood samples were taken, and lateral cephalometric radiographs were obtained preoperatively and repeated at 6-9 months (mean 7.2 ± 1.0 mo) following tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. The chemiluminescent enzyme-linked immunosorbent method was used to IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels. Each cephalometric radiograph was evaluated by a blinded radiologist. The A/N ratio was calculated using the Fujioka method. When the preoperative and postoperative results were compared, a statistically significant increase in serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 and a decreased A/N ratio were found. However, although correlation between the Δ(preoperative-postoperative difference) IGFBP-3 and ΔA/N ratio was 40%, it was not statistically significant. Additionally, no statistically significant correlation between the ΔIGF-I and ΔA/N ratio was found. The results of the present study indicate that adenotonsillectomy could result in the relief of nasopharyngeal obstruction and have a positive effect on growth in children by decreasing the A/N ratio and increasing IGF-I and IGFBP-3. There was no correlation between the ΔA/N ratio and ΔIGF-I and ΔIGFBP-3 levels. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Pulmonary hypertension evaluation by Doppler echocardiogram in children and adolescents with mouth breathing syndrome.

PubMed

Lima, Marcela Silva; Nader, Carolina Maria Fontes Ferreira; Franco, Letícia Paiva; Meira, Zilda Maria Alves; Capanema, Flavio Diniz; Guimarães, Roberto Eustáquio Santos; Becker, Helena Maria Gonçalves

Adenotonsillar hyperplasia (ATH) and allergic rhinitis (AR) are the most common causes of upper airway obstruction in children. Such diseases, by affecting the upper airways, can cause chronic alveolar hypoventilation, pulmonary vasoconstriction and pulmonary hypertension, which in some cases, are irreversible. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in two groups of mouth-breathing (MB) 2-12 years old children with ATH and isolated allergic rhinitis, through Doppler echocardiography. 54 patients with ATH and indications for adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy and 24 patients with persistent allergic rhinitis were selected and submitted to Doppler echocardiography. The Systolic Pulmonary Artery Pressure (SPAP) was determined by tricuspid regurgitation and the Mean Pulmonary Artery Pressure (MPAP) was calculated from the SPAP. Similar measurements were carried out in 25 nasal breathing (NB) individuals. The mean MPAP and SPAP were higher in the MB than in the NB group (17.62±2.06 [ATH] and 17.45±1.25 [AR] vs. 15.20±2.36 [NB] mmHg, p<0.005, and 25.61±3.38 [ATH] and 25.33±2.06 [AR] vs. 21.64±3.87 [NB] mmHg, p<0.005, respectively) and the mean acceleration time of pulmonary flow trace (Act) was higher in the NB than in the MB group (127.24±12.81 [RN] vs. 114.06±10.63ms [ATH] and 117.96±10.28 [AR] MS [AR]; p<0.0001). None of the MB children (ATH and AR) met the PH criteria, although individuals with both ATH and isolated AR showed significant evidence of increased pulmonary artery pressure by Doppler echocardiography in relation to NB individuals. No differences were observed between the ATH and AR groups. Copyright © 2017 Associação Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia Cérvico-Facial. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

A case-control study of Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) in pediatric population: A proposal for indications.

PubMed

Collu, Maria Antonietta; Esteller, Eduard; Lipari, Fiorella; Haspert, Raul; Mulas, Demetrio; Diaz, Miguel Angel; Dwivedi, Raghav C

2018-05-01

To evaluate whether and when Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) changes diagnosis and treatment plan in pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (OSAS) with the aim to identify specific subgroups of patients for whom DISE should be especially considered. A case-control study of DISE in 150 children with OSAS. Pre-operative OSA were assessed through detailed history, Chervin questionnaire, physical examination and overnight polysomnography. The group of study was divided into three subgroups according to clinical and polysomnographyc criteria: conventional OSAS, disproportional OSAS and persistent OSAS. Endoscopic evaluation of the upper airway during DISE was scored using Chan classification. Surgical treatment was tailored individually upon the basis of sleep endoscopy findings: performance of any surgery other than tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A) was considered as a change of the treatment plan. Cases and controls were compared considering presence and absence of DISE-directed extra surgery, respectively. 150 patients with mean age (SD) 56.09 (23.94) months and mean apnoea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 5.79 (6.52) underwent DISE. The conventional subgroup represented the 58.67% of the sample (n = 88), while the disproportional one counted for the 26.67% (n = 40), and the persistent one for 14.66% (n = 22) of the population. Sleep endoscopy changed the surgical plan in 4.5% of conventional OSAS, 17.5% of disproportional OSAS and 72.7% of persistent OSAS (p < 0.005). Overall, a change of the treatment plan operated by DISE was associated with a non-conventional OSAS status (OR = 6; 95% CI = 1.6-26.4). DISE is a safe procedure in children suffering from OSAS, and, despite being unnecessary in conventional cases of OSA, DISE should be considered not only in syndromic children, as previously demonstrated, but also in the general non-syndromic pediatric population, in the case of non-conventional OSA patients, and in children with persistent OSAS. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Utilization of a postoperative adenotonsillectomy teaching video: A pilot study.

PubMed

Khan, Sarah; Tumin, Dmitry; King, Adele; Rice, Julie; Jatana, Kris R; Tobias, Joseph D; Raman, Vidya T

2017-11-01

Pediatric tonsillectomies are increasingly being performed as an outpatient procedure thereby increasing the parental role in post-operative pain management. However, it is unclear if parents receive adequate teaching regarding pain management. We introduced a video teaching tool and compared its efficacy alone and in combination with the standard verbal instruction. A prospective study which randomized parents or caregivers of children undergoing tonsillectomy ± adenoidectomy into three groups: 1) standard verbal post-operative instructions; 2) watching the video teaching tool along with standard verbal instructions or 3) video teaching tool only. Parents completed pre and post-instruction assessments of their knowledge of post-operative pain management with responses scored from 0 to 8. Telephone assessments were conducted within 48 post-operative hours with a subjective rating of the helpfulness of the video teaching tool. The study cohort included 99 patients and their families. The median pre-instruction score was 5 of 8 points (Interquartile range [IQR]: 4, 6) and this remained at 5 following instruction. (IQR:4, 6; p = 0.702 difference from baseline). Baseline scores did not vary across the groups (p = 0.156) and there was no increase in the knowledge score from pre to post-test across the three groups. Groups B and C rated the helpfulness of the video teaching tool with a median score of 4 of 5. (IQR: 4, 5). A baseline deficit exists in parental understanding of post-operative pain management that did not statistically improve regardless of the form post-operative instruction used (verbal vs. video-based instruction). However, the high helpfulness scores in both video groups support the use of video instruction as an alternative to or to complement to verbal instruction. However, further identification of knowledge deficits is required for optimization of post-operative educational materials. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[Analysis of related factors of recurrent otitis media with effusion in children].

PubMed

Zhu, Z; Zheng, G X; Li, Q; Shi, Q L; Zhou, H G; Fang, R P

2017-08-05

Objective: To investigate the influencing factors of recurrent episodes of otitis media with effusion in children. Method: A retrospective summary of the clinical data of 210 cases of children with otitis media with effusion, 75 cases of recurrence after treatment, 135 cases were recovered, the recurrence of the related factors and after symptomatic treatment effect is analyzed. Result: Logistic regression analysis results found that adenoid hypertrophy (Ⅲ°, Ⅳ°), tonsil hypertrophy (Ⅳ°) and sinusitis (including choanal polyp), a positive allergens, upper respiratory tract infection, the stomach esophagus regurgitation, cleft palate, younger age has significant effect on recurrence of otitis media with effusion, have significant difference ( P < 0.05). And the influence of duration, gender, passive smoking history and previous medical history of otitis media with effusion has no obvious statistical significance ( P > 0.05). Through the comparison among different age groups, adenoidectomy Ⅲ °, Ⅳ ° hypertrophy tract infections in > 3-6 years old group has significant effect ( P < 0.05), recurrent respiratory tract infections in less than 3 years old group and the group of children aged > 3-6 years OME recurrence has significant effect ( P < 0.05). By tympanocentesis or tympanostomy tube insertion and according to different conditions to take symptomatic treatment, 75 cases (123 ears) were cured 96 ears (78.05%), 19 ears were improved (15.45%), the total effective rate was 93.50%, ineffective in 8 ears (6.50%). Conclusion: Adenoid hypertrophy (Ⅲ°, Ⅳ°), tonsil hypertrophy (Ⅳ°), sinusitis, nasal polyps, allergic diseases and upper respiratory tract infection gastroesophageal reflux, cleft palate and younger age may be adverse factors related to recurrent otitis media with effusion in children, the clinical doctors should pay attention to these symptoms, according to different causes, adopt individualized treatment plan, make children get the best treatment as soon as possible. Copyright© by the Editorial Department of Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery.

[Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in young infants].

PubMed

Rosenberg, Eran; Elkrinawi, Soliman; Goldbart, Aviv; Leiberman, Alberto; Tarasiuk, Ariel; Tal, Asher

2009-05-01

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) has been reported among children aged 3-6 years. Adenotonsillar hypertrophy is the most common cause of OSAS. The upper airway obstruction results in repeated obstructive apneas and hypopneas, associated with oxygen desaturations and sleep fragmentation. OSAS in children is associated with higher respiratory morbidity as well as significant clinical consequences, mainly neurocognitive and behavioral problems, impaired growth and cardiac dysfunction. The objectives of the present study were to determine the clinical and sleep characteristics of OSAS in children younger than 2 years, and to evaluate morbidity and health care utilization of infants with OSAS. This retrospective study included 35 children younger than 2 years of age, referred for polysomnography because of suspected OSAS. The controL group included healthy children, matched by age, gender and pediatrician. A total of 33 infants were diagnosed with OSAS. Mean apnea/hypopnea index [AHI) was 18.7 +/- 18.1 events/ hour [range 1.3-90.2]. In 10 infants a pattern of intermittent hypoxemia was observed. Infants with OSAS demonstrated a higher number of primary care clinic visits (20.8 +/- 14 vs. 12.1 +/- 6.6, P < 0.02). A higher percentage of children with OSAS visited the emergency room (60.6% vs. 32.2%, P < 0.03), and was hospitalized (36.3% vs. 12.9%, P < 0.03). Duration of hospitalization was also higher in the OSAS group [23.2 +/- 14.1% vs. 3 +/- 2.1%, P < 0.05). The number of drug prescriptions was higher among the study group [25.9 +/- 21.8% vs. 13.6 +/- 10.1, P < 0.03). Thirteen patients underwent adenoidectomy with or without tonsillectomy, resulting in improvement of AHI, decreasing from 26.4 +/- 24 before to 3.6 +/- 4.5 events per hour after surgery (p < 0.01). OSAS can be found in infants younger than 2 years of age. OSAS at this young age is characterized by a higher morbidity in comparison to healthy children. Early diagnosis and treatment may prevent morbidity in young children with OSAS.

Apnea and oxygen desaturations in children treated with opioids after adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: a prospective pilot study.

PubMed

Khetani, Justin D; Madadi, Parvaz; Sommer, Doron D; Reddy, Desigen; Sistonen, Johanna; Ross, Colin J D; Carleton, Bruce C; Hayden, Michael R; Koren, Gideon

2012-12-01

Recent case reports have alerted the medical community of fatality in children receiving codeine after tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The objective of this study was to compare the rates of oxygen desaturation before and after adenotonsillectomy in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), and to examine the relationship between cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) genotype and respiratory events. This was a prospective observational study. Twenty-six children with OSAS (mean age 78 months, range 1.8-17 years) who underwent adenotonsillectomy were studied. CYP2D6 genotype was characterized in 21 of these children. The primary endpoints of the study were the change in the rate of desaturation and in the nadir oxygen saturation values before and in the first 24 hours after surgery as measured by pulse oximetry. Twenty-two children received codeine and four were managed with hydrocodone. There was no post-operative improvement in the mean rate of desaturation (1.84 ± 1.45/hour pre-operative vs 2.97 ± 3.3/hour post-operative; p = 0.119; 95% CI -2.56, 0.313), or the post-operative nadir of oxygen saturation (85.2 ± 5.8% pre-operative vs 84.0 ± 6.8% post-operative; p = 0.632; 95% CI -3.00, 4.84) on the night after surgery. Prior to surgery, six children had an oxygen saturation nadir <80%, while post-surgery, the number increased to eight children. Ten children improved their parameters after surgery. CYP2D6 genotype by itself did not predict the changes in desaturation or nadir. Post-operative use of opioids following OSAS may not be safe for all children. It is conceivable that if the child is among the significant proportion that experiences increased oxygen desaturations, the CNS depressing effects of codeine or hydrocodone and their respectively potent morphine or hydromorphone metabolites can further compromise respiratory drive. Larger studies are needed to investigate the potential contribution of CYP2D6 genotype.

Prevalence and Persistence of Sleep Disordered Breathing Symptoms in Young Children: A 6-Year Population-Based Cohort Study

PubMed Central

Bonuck, Karen A.; Chervin, Ronald D.; Cole, Timothy J.; Emond, Alan; Henderson, John; Xu, Linzhi; Freeman, Katherine

2011-01-01

Study Objectives: To describe the prevalence, persistence, and characteristics associated with sleep disordered breathing (SDB) symptoms in a population-based cohort followed from 6 months to 6.75 years. Design: Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Setting: England, 1991-1999. Participants: 12,447 children in ALSPAC with parental report of apnea, snoring, or mouth-breathing frequency on any one of 7 questionnaires. Measurements: Symptom prevalence rates—assessed as “Always” and “Habitually”—are reported at 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.75, 5.75, and 6.75 years of age. The proportion of children in whom symptoms develop, persist or abate between observation points is reported. Exploratory multivariate analyses identified SDB risk factors at 1.5, 4.75, and 6.75 years. Results: The prevalence of apnea (“Always”) is 1%-2% at all ages assessed. In contrast, snoring “Always” ranges from 3.6% to 7.7%, and snoring “Habitually” ranges from 9.6% to 21.2%, with a notable increase from 1.5- 2.5 years. At 6 years old, 25% are habitual mouth-breathers. The “Always” and “Habitual” incidence of each symptom between time points is 1%-5% and 5%-10%, respectively. In multivariate analyses of combined symptoms, socioeconomic factors have stronger, more persistent effects upon increased SDB risk than gestational age, gender, or race (aside from 1.5 years); adenoidectomy decreases risk by 40%-50%. Conclusions: This is the first natural history study of the primary symptoms of SDB across a key 6-year period in the development of SDB symptoms. Snoring rates are higher and spike earlier than previously reported. Symptoms are dynamic, suggesting the need for early and continued vigilance in early childhood. Citation: Bonuck KA; Chervin RD; Cole TJ; Emond A; Henderson J; Xu L; Freeman K. Prevalence and persistence of sleep disordered breathing symptoms in young children: a 6-year population-based cohort study. SLEEP 2011;34(7):875-884. PMID:21731137

The influence of snoring, mouth breathing and apnoea on facial morphology in late childhood: a three-dimensional study

PubMed Central

Al Ali, Ala; Richmond, Stephen; Popat, Hashmat; Playle, Rebecca; Pickles, Timothy; Zhurov, Alexei I; Marshall, David; Rosin, Paul L; Henderson, John; Bonuck, Karen

2015-01-01

Objective To explore the relationship between the prevalence of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and face shape morphology in a large cohort of 15-year-old children. Design Observational longitudinal cohort study Setting Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), South West of England. Participants Three-dimensional surface laser scans were taken for 4784 white British children from the ALSPAC during a follow-up clinic. A total of 1724 children with sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and 1862 healthy children were identified via parents’ report of sleep disordered symptoms for their children. We excluded from the original cohort all children identified as having congenital abnormalities, diagnoses associated with poor growth and children with adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy. Main outcome measures Parents in the ALSPAC reported sleep disordered symptoms (snoring, mouth breathing and apnoea) for their children at 6, 18, 30, 42, 57, 69 and 81 months. Average facial shells were created for children with and without SDB in order to explore surface differences. Results Differences in facial measurements were found between the children with and without SDB throughout early childhood. The mean differences included an increase in face height in SDB children of 0.3 mm (95% CI −0.52 to −0.05); a decrease in mandibular prominence of 0.9° (95% CI −1.30 to −0.42) in SDB children; and a decrease in nose prominence and width of 0.12 mm (95% CI 0.00 to 0.24) and 0.72 mm (95% CI −0.10 to −0.25), respectively, in SDB children. The odds of children exhibiting symptoms of SDB increased significantly with respect to increased face height and mandible angle, but reduced with increased nose width and prominence. Conclusions The combination of a long face, reduced nose prominence and width, and a retrognathic mandible may be diagnostic facial features of SBD that may warrant a referral to specialists for the evaluation of other clinical symptoms of SDB. PMID:26351193

The influence of snoring, mouth breathing and apnoea on facial morphology in late childhood: a three-dimensional study.

PubMed

Al Ali, Ala; Richmond, Stephen; Popat, Hashmat; Playle, Rebecca; Pickles, Timothy; Zhurov, Alexei I; Marshall, David; Rosin, Paul L; Henderson, John; Bonuck, Karen

2015-09-08

To explore the relationship between the prevalence of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and face shape morphology in a large cohort of 15-year-old children. Observational longitudinal cohort study Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), South West of England. Three-dimensional surface laser scans were taken for 4784 white British children from the ALSPAC during a follow-up clinic. A total of 1724 children with sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and 1862 healthy children were identified via parents' report of sleep disordered symptoms for their children. We excluded from the original cohort all children identified as having congenital abnormalities, diagnoses associated with poor growth and children with adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy. Parents in the ALSPAC reported sleep disordered symptoms (snoring, mouth breathing and apnoea) for their children at 6, 18, 30, 42, 57, 69 and 81 months. Average facial shells were created for children with and without SDB in order to explore surface differences. Differences in facial measurements were found between the children with and without SDB throughout early childhood. The mean differences included an increase in face height in SDB children of 0.3 mm (95% CI -0.52 to -0.05); a decrease in mandibular prominence of 0.9° (95% CI -1.30 to -0.42) in SDB children; and a decrease in nose prominence and width of 0.12 mm (95% CI 0.00 to 0.24) and 0.72 mm (95% CI -0.10 to -0.25), respectively, in SDB children. The odds of children exhibiting symptoms of SDB increased significantly with respect to increased face height and mandible angle, but reduced with increased nose width and prominence. The combination of a long face, reduced nose prominence and width, and a retrognathic mandible may be diagnostic facial features of SBD that may warrant a referral to specialists for the evaluation of other clinical symptoms of SDB. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease and positive maxillary antral cultures in children with symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis.

PubMed

Nation, Javan; Kaufman, Michael; Allen, Meredith; Sheyn, Anthony; Coticchia, James

2014-02-01

Studies have shown that gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs more frequently than expected in children with chronic rhinosinusitis. The objective of this study is to further understand the relationship of pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease in children with symptoms of rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, and chronic cough. A retrospective chart review of 63 children, ages 6 months to 10 years old with rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, and chronic cough. The patients underwent maxillary cultures, adenoidectomy, and distal third esophageal biopsies. Children with esophageal biopsies showing esophagitis were classified as positive for gastroesophageal reflux disease, and maxillary antral swabs growing a high density of bacteria were classified as positive for chronic rhinosinusitis. Six months to 5 years old children (n=43), 6 (14%) had simultaneous positive maxillary antral cultures and positive esophageal biopsies, 11 (26%) had positive esophageal biopsies alone, 23 (53%) had positive maxillary antral cultures alone, and 3 (7%) had neither. Six to 10 years old children (n=20), 9 (45%) had simultaneous positive maxillary antral cultures and positive esophageal biopsies, 1 (5%) patient had positive esophageal biopsies alone, 3 (15%) patients had positive maxillary antral cultures alone, and 7 (35%) patients had neither. Twenty-seven (42%) of the patients from the whole study had gastroesophageal reflux positive biopsies. The younger children were statistically likely to have chronic rhinosinusitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease independently of each other (p=0.0002). A direct group comparison found the younger group to have independent chronic rhinosinusitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease and the older group to have simultaneous chronic rhinosinusitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (p=0.0006). In children with the presenting symptoms of rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, and chronic cough, younger children tend to have either chronic rhinosinusitis or gastroesophageal reflux disease, whereas older children tend to have a more complicated etiology of chronic rhinosinusitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease or other. In all of these patients gastroesophageal reflux disease plays an important role, as over 40% of all patients had gastroesophageal positive biopsies. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Trend in otolaryngological surgeries in an era of super-aging: Descriptive statistics using a Japanese inpatient database.

PubMed

Suzuki, Sayaka; Yasunaga, Hideo; Matsui, Hiroki; Fushimi, Kiyohide; Yamasoba, Tatsuya

2018-03-27

To reveal the age distribution and capture the longitudinal trend in otolaryngological surgeries performed in Japan, where society is rapidly aging. Using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database, we extracted data on patients who were hospitalized and underwent any type of otolaryngological surgery in departments of otolaryngology or head and neck surgery from fiscal year 2007 to fiscal year 2013. Type of surgery, patient's age, and fiscal year were compared. We categorized >200 types of surgeries into eight specialties: ear surgery, functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), other types of paranasal surgery (except for malignancy), head and neck cancer surgery, benign tumor surgery, upper airway surgery (including pharynx and larynx), removal of foreign body, and other. In total, 558,732 patients were included. The proportions of patients in each age category formed two peaks in middle age and in children aged ≤9years. The proportion of all surgeries made up by FESS, other paranasal surgery, benign tumor surgery, and head and neck cancer surgery gradually increased with age, forming a peak in patients in their 60s. The proportion of ear surgery was highest in patients aged ≤9years (34.0% of all surgeries, mostly myringotomy and transtympanic ventilation tube insertion) and formed a gradual peak in patients in their 60s (mostly tympanoplasty). The proportion of upper airway surgery (tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy) was highest in patients aged ≤9years (25.3% of all surgeries). The proportion of foreign body removal was highest in patients aged ≤9years (52.2% of all surgeries) and increased slightly with age. In 2013, compared with 2007, those aged 65-74 years and ≥75years made up a larger percentage of patients undergoing each specific surgery, including tympanoplasty, stapedectomy/stapedotomy, FESS, head and neck cancer surgery, pharyngolaryngectomy, total/subtotal glossectomy, thyroid lobectomy, parotidectomy (for a benign tumor), submandibular gland resection, tonsillectomy, and vocal fold polypectomy. The age distribution of otolaryngological surgeries varied by specialty. We found an increased proportion of patients aged 65-74 and ≥75years in most specific surgeries. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Expression of Innate Immunity Genes in Epithelial Cells of Hypertrophic Adenoids with and without Pediatric Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Preliminary Report

PubMed Central

Qu, Xiao-Peng; Huang, Zhen-Xiao; Sun, Yan; Ye, Ting; Cui, Shun-Jiu; Huang, Qian; Ma, Li-Jing; Yang, Qing-Wen; Wang, Hong; Fan, Er-Zhong; Li, Ying; Zhang, Liang; Zhou, Bing

2015-01-01

Background: Adenoid hypertrophy (AH) is associated with pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis (pCRS), but its role in the inflammatory process of pCRS is unclear. It is thought that innate immunity gene expression is disrupted in the epithelium of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), including antimicrobial peptides and pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). The aim of this preliminary study was to detect the expression of innate immunity genes in epithelial cells of hypertrophic adenoids with and without pCRS to better understand their role in pCRS. Methods: Nine pCRS patients and nine simple AH patients undergoing adenoidectomy were recruited for the study. Adenoidal epithelium was isolated, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was employed to measure relative expression levels of the following messenger RNAs in hypertrophic adenoid epithelial cells of pediatric patients with and without CRS: Human β-defensin (HBD) 2 and 3, surfactant protein (SP)-A and D, toll-like receptors 1–10, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors NOD 1, NOD 2, and NACHT, LRR and PYD domains-containing protein 3, retinoic acid-induced gene 1, melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). RT-qPCR data from two groups were analyzed by independent sample t-tests and Mann-Whitney U-tests. Results: The relative expression of SP-D in adenoidal epithelium of pCRS group was significantly lower than that in AH group (pCRS 0.73 ± 0.10 vs. AH 1.21 ± 0.15; P = 0.0173, t = 2.654). The relative expression levels of all tested PRRs and NF-κB, as well as HBD-2, HBD-3, and SP-A, showed no statistically significant differences in isolated adenoidal epithelium between pCRS group and AH group. Conclusions: Down-regulated SP-D levels in adenoidal epithelium may contribute to the development of pCRS. PRRs, however, are unlikely to play a significant role in the inflammatory process of pCRS. PMID:26521790

The predictive value of polysomnography combined with quality of life for treatment decision of children with habitual snoring related to adenotonsillar hypertrophy.

PubMed

Zhao, Guoqiang; Li, Yanru; Wang, Xiaoyi; Ding, Xiu; Wang, Chunyan; Xu, Wen; Han, Demin

2018-06-01

Both surgical treatment and non-surgical treatment are suggested by clinicians for children with habitual snoring related to adenotonsillar hypertrophy; However, how should the decision be made remains unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate potential predictors for the treatment decision, i.e., surgical treatment vs wait and see in children with habitual snoring related to adenoidal and/or tonsillar hypertrophy. Children with complaints of snoring and/or apnea associated with adenotonsillar hypertrophy who received polysomnography (PSG) monitoring at our Hospital were recruited. After at least 6 months, the subjects were followed up and grouped according to whether or not they had received adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy (AT) execution. The heights, weights, as well as the quality of life (assessed using the obstructive sleep apnea-18 (OSA-18) quality of life questionnaire) and baseline PSG of the subjects were recorded and compared. Two logistic regressions were performed to reveal the factors influencing decision-making on conducting AT. A total of 509 children were finally included (345 males and 164 females). Among these children, 287 eventually received AT. Significant differences in age, scores for item 1 and 5 of the OSA-18, apnea-hypopnea index, obstructive apnea index, obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (OAHI), and Lowest arterial oxygen saturation (P < 0.05) were observed between groups. By multivariate logistic regression, the factors that influenced the surgical decision were identified as follows: age < 7 years (P = 0.008: odds ratio [OR] = 1.667, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.140-2.438), score for item 5 of OSA-18 > 4 points (P = 0.042: OR = 1.489, 95% CI 1.014-2.212) and OAHI > 1/h (P = 0.044: OR = 1.579, 95% CI 1.013-2.463). School-age children aged < 7 years, with OAHI > 1/h and mouth breathing scored > 4 points were more likely to receive AT during the disease process and thus require increased attention.

Age at Exposure to Surgery and Anesthesia in Children and Association With Mental Disorder Diagnosis.

PubMed

Ing, Caleb; Sun, Ming; Olfson, Mark; DiMaggio, Charles J; Sun, Lena S; Wall, Melanie M; Li, Guohua

2017-12-01

Animals exposed to anesthetics during specific age periods of brain development experience neurotoxicity, with neurodevelopmental changes subsequently observed during adulthood. The corresponding vulnerable age in children, however, is unknown. An observational cohort study was performed using a longitudinal dataset constructed by linking individual-level Medicaid claims from Texas and New York from 1999 to 2010. This dataset was evaluated to determine whether the timing of exposure to anesthesia ≤5 years of age for a single common procedure (pyloromyotomy, inguinal hernia, circumcision outside the perinatal period, or tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy) is associated with increased subsequent risk of diagnoses for any mental disorder, or specifically developmental delay (DD) such as reading and language disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Exposure to anesthesia and surgery was evaluated in 11 separate age at exposure categories: ≤28 days old, >28 days and ≤6 months, >6 months and ≤1 year, and 6-month age intervals between >1 year old and ≤5 years old. For each exposed child, 5 children matched on propensity score calculated using sociodemographic and clinical covariates were selected for comparison. Cox proportional hazards models were used to measure the hazard ratio of a mental disorder diagnosis associated with exposure to surgery and anesthesia. A total of 38,493 children with a single exposure and 192,465 propensity score-matched children unexposed before 5 years of age were included in the analysis. Increased risk of mental disorder diagnosis was observed at all ages at exposure with an overall hazard ratio of 1.26 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22-1.30), which did not vary significantly with the timing of exposure. Analysis of DD and ADHD showed similar results, with elevated hazard ratios distributed evenly across all ages, and overall hazard ratios of 1.26 (95% CI, 1.20-1.32) for DD and 1.31 (95% CI, 1.25-1.37) for ADHD. Children who undergo minor surgery requiring anesthesia under age 5 have a small but statistically significant increased risk of mental disorder diagnoses and DD and ADHD diagnoses, but the timing of the surgical procedure does not alter the elevated risks. Based on these findings, there is little support for the concept of delaying a minor procedure to reduce long-term neurodevelopmental risks of anesthesia in children. In evaluating the influence of age at exposure, the types of procedures included may need to be considered, as some procedures are associated with specific comorbid conditions and are only performed at certain ages.

Ventilation time of the middle ear in otitis media with effusion (OME) after CO2 laser myringotomy.

PubMed

Sedlmaier, Benedikt; Jivanjee, Antonio; Gutzler, Rico; Huscher, Dörte; Jovanovic, Sergije

2002-04-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the transtympanic ventilation time, the healing course of the tympanic membrane, the early and late complications, and the recurrence rate of otitis media with effusion (OME) within 6 months after CO2 laser myringotomy with the CO2 laser otoscope Otoscan. Prospective clinical study. In this study, laser myringotomy was performed with the CO2 laser otoscope Otoscan in a patient population comprising 81 children (159 ears) with a history of otitis media with effusion (OME) associated with adenoidal and sometimes tonsillar hyperplasia. The procedure on the tympanic membrane was accordingly combined with an adenoidectomy, a CO2 laser tonsillotomy, or a tonsillectomy and therefore performed under insufflation anesthesia. In all ears, approximately 2 mm circular perforations were created in the lower anterior quadrants with a power of 12 to 15 W, a pulse duration of 180 msec, and a scanned area of 2.2 mm in diameter. None of the children showed postoperative impairment of cochleovestibular function such as sensorineural hearing loss or nystagmus. Otomicroscopic and videoendoscopic monitoring documented the closure time and healing pattern of tympanic membrane perforations. The mean closure time was found to be 16.35 days (minimum, 8 days; maximum, 34 days). As a rule, an onion-skin-like membrane of keratinized material was seen in the former myringotomy perforations at the time of closure. At the follow-up 6 months later, the condition of the tympanic membrane of 129 ears (81.1%) could be checked by otomicroscopy and videoendoscopy and the hearing ability by audiometry and tympanometry. The CO2 laser myringotomy sites appeared normal and irritation-free. Two of the tympanic membranes examined (1.6%) showed atrophic scar formation, and 1 (0.8%) had a perforation with a diameter of 0.3 mm. The perforation was seen closed in a control otoscopy 15 months postoperatively. OME recurred in 26.3% of the ears seen intraoperatively with mucous secretion (n = 38) and in 13.5% of the ears with serous secretion (n = 37; P <.05). The most important principle in treating OME is ventilation of the tympanic cavity. CO2 laser myringotomy achieves this through a self-healing perforation in which its diameter roughly determines the duration of transtympanic ventilation. Laser myringotomy competes with ventilation tube insertion in the treatment of OME. It may be a useful alternative in the surgical management of secretory otitis media.

Grommets (ventilation tubes) for hearing loss associated with otitis media with effusion in children.

PubMed

Lous, J; Burton, M J; Felding, J U; Ovesen, T; Rovers, M M; Williamson, I

2005-01-25

Otitis media with effusion (OME), or 'glue ear', is very common in children, especially between the ages of one and three years with a prevalence of 10% to 30% and a cumulative incidence of 80% at the age of four years. OME is defined as middle ear effusion without signs or symptoms of an acute infection. OME may occur as a primary disorder or as a sequel to acute otitis media. The functional effect of OME is a conductive hearing level of about 25 to 30 dB associated with fluid in the middle ear. Both the high incidence and the high rate of spontaneous resolution suggest that the presence of OME is a natural phenomenon, its presence at some stage in childhood being a normal finding. Notwithstanding this, some children with OME may go on to develop chronic otitis media with structural changes (tympanic membrane retraction pockets, erosion of portions of the ossicular chain and cholesteatoma), language delays and behavioural problems. It remains uncertain whether or not any of these findings are direct consequences of OME. The most common medical treatment options include the use of decongestants, mucolytics, steroids, antihistamines and antibiotics. The effectiveness of these therapies has not been established. Surgical treatment options include grommet (ventilation or tympanostomy tube) insertion, adenoidectomy or both. Opinions regarding the risks and benefits of grommet insertion vary greatly. The management of OME therefore remains controversial. To assess the effectiveness of grommet insertion compared with myringotomy or non-surgical treatment in children with OME. The outcomes studied were (i) hearing level, (ii) duration of middle ear effusion, (iii) well-being (quality of life) and (iv) prevention of developmental sequelae possibly attributable to the hearing loss (for example, impairment in impressive and expressive language development (measured using standardised tests), verbal intelligence, and behaviour). We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library Issue 1, 2003), MEDLINE (1966 to 2003), EMBASE (1973 to 2003) and reference lists of all identified studies. The date of the last systematic search was March 2003, and personal non-systematic searches have been performed up to August 2004. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of grommets on hearing, duration of effusion, development of language, cognition, behaviour or quality of life. Only studies using common types of grommets (mean function time of 6 to 12 months) were included. Data from studies were extracted by two reviewers and checked by the other reviewers. Children treated with grommets spent 32% less time (95% confidence interval (CI) 17% to 48%) with effusion during the first year of follow-up. Treatment with grommets improved hearing levels, especially during the first six months. In the randomised controlled trials that studied the effect of grommet insertion alone, the mean hearing levels improved by around 9 dB (95% CI 4 dB to 14 dB) after the first six months, and 6 dB (95% CI 3 dB to 9 dB) after 12 months. In the randomised controlled trials that studied the combined effect of grommets and adenoidectomy, the additional effect of the grommets on hearing levels was improvement by 3 to 4 dB (95% CI 2 dB to 5 dB) at six months and about 1 to 2 dB (95% CI 0 dB to 3 dB) at 12 months. Ears treated with grommets had an additional risk for tympanosclerosis of 0.33 (95% CI 0.21 to 0.45) one to five years later. In otherwise healthy children with long-standing OME and hearing loss, early insertion of grommets had no effect on language development or cognition. One randomised controlled trial in children with OME more than nine months, hearing loss and disruptions to speech, language, learning or behaviour showed a very marginal effect of grommets on comprehensive language. The benefits of grommets in children appear small. The effect of grommets on hearing diminished during the first year. Potentially adverse effects on the tympanic membrane are common after grommet insertion. Therefore an initial period of watchful waiting seems to be an appropriate management strategy for most children with OME. As no evidence is yet available for the subgroups of children with speech or language delays, behavioural and learning problems or children with defined clinical syndromes (generally excluded from the primary studies included in this review), the clinician will need to make decisions regarding treatment for such children based on other evidence and indications of disability related to hearing impairment. This review does not resolve the discrepancy between parental and clinical observation of a beneficial treatment effect and the results in the reviewed RCT showing only a short-term effect on hearing and virtually no effect on development. Is the perceived, often dramatic, effect of grommets only a short-term one? Are some children more sensitive to OME-related hearing loss than others? If so, how do we identify them?Further research should focus upon indications. Studies should use sufficiently large sample sizes to show significant interactions. There is a need to determine the most suitable variables and appropriate "softer" outcomes to be the subject of these interaction tests. Interesting options include measures of speech-in-noise and binaural hearing. The generally modest results in the trials which are included in this review should make it easier to justify randomisation of more severely affected and higher-risk children in appropriately constructed trials. Randomised controlled trials are necessary in these children before more detailed conclusions about the effectiveness of grommets can be drawn.

Dexmedetomidine infusion for analgesia and prevention of emergence agitation in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.

PubMed

Patel, Anuradha; Davidson, Melissa; Tran, Minh C J; Quraishi, Huma; Schoenberg, Catherine; Sant, Manasee; Lin, Albert; Sun, Xiuru

2010-10-01

Dexmedetomidine, a specific α(2) agonist, has an analgesic-sparing effect and reduces emergence agitation. We compared an intraoperative dexmedetomidine infusion with bolus fentanyl to reduce perioperative opioid use and decrease emergence agitation in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome undergoing adenotonsillectomy (T&A). One hundred twenty-two patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome undergoing T&A, ages 2 to 10 years, completed this prospective, randomized, U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved study. After mask induction with sevoflurane, group D received IV dexmedetomidine 2 μg · kg(-1) over 10 minutes, followed by 0.7 μg · kg(-1) · h(-1), and group F received IV fentanyl bolus 1 μg · kg(-1). Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane, oxygen, and nitrous oxide. Fentanyl 0.5 to 1 μg · kg(-1) was given to subjects in both groups for an increase in heart rate or systolic blood pressure 30% above preincision values that continued for 5 minutes. Observers in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) were blinded to treatment groups. Pain was evaluated using the objective pain score in the PACU on arrival, at 5 minutes, at 15 minutes, then every 15 minutes for 120 minutes. Emergence agitation was evaluated at the same intervals by 2 scales: the Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium scale and a 5-point scale described by Cole. Morphine (0.05 to 0.1 mg · kg(-1)) was given for pain (score >4) or severe agitation (score 4 or 5) lasting more than 5 minutes. In group D, 9.8% patients needed intraoperative rescue fentanyl in comparison with 36% in group F (P = 0.001). Mean systolic blood pressure and heart rate were significantly lower in group D (P < 0.05). Minimum alveolar concentration values were significantly different between the 2 groups (P = 0.015). The median objective pain score was 3 for group D and 5 for group F (P = 0.001). In group D, 10 (16.3%) patients required rescue morphine, in comparison with 29 (47.5%) in group F (P = 0.002). The frequency of severe emergence agitation on arrival in the PACU was 18% in group D and 45.9% in group F (P = 0.004); at 5 minutes and at 15 minutes, it was lower in group D (P = 0.028). The duration of agitation on the Cole scale was statistically lower in group D (P = 0.004). In group D, 18% of patients and 40.9% in group F had an episode of Spo(2) below 95% (P = 0.01). An intraoperative infusion of dexmedetomidine combined with inhalation anesthetics provided satisfactory intraoperative conditions for T&A without adverse hemodynamic effects. Postoperative opioid requirements were significantly reduced, and the incidence and duration of severe emergence agitation was lower with fewer patients having desaturation episodes.

Tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy versus non-surgical management for obstructive sleep-disordered breathing in children.

PubMed

Venekamp, Roderick P; Hearne, Benjamin J; Chandrasekharan, Deepak; Blackshaw, Helen; Lim, Jerome; Schilder, Anne G M

2015-10-14

Obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (oSDB) is a condition that encompasses breathing problems when asleep, due to an obstruction of the upper airways, ranging in severity from simple snoring to obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). It affects both children and adults. In children, hypertrophy of the tonsils and adenoid tissue is thought to be the commonest cause of oSDB. As such, tonsillectomy - with or without adenoidectomy - is considered an appropriate first-line treatment for most cases of paediatric oSDB. To assess the benefits and harms of tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy compared with non-surgical management of children with oSDB. We searched the Cochrane Register of Studies Online, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Clinicaltrials.gov, ICTRP and additional sources for published and unpublished trials. The date of the search was 5 March 2015. Randomised controlled trials comparing the effectiveness and safety of (adeno)tonsillectomy with non-surgical management in children with oSDB aged 2 to 16 years. We used the standard methodological procedures expected by The Cochrane Collaboration. Three trials (562 children) met our inclusion criteria. Two were at moderate to high risk of bias and one at low risk of bias. We did not pool the results because of substantial clinical heterogeneity. They evaluated three different groups of children: those diagnosed with mild to moderate OSAS by polysomnography (PSG) (453 children aged five to nine years; low risk of bias; CHAT trial), those with a clinical diagnosis of oSDB but with negative PSG recordings (29 children aged two to 14 years; moderate to high risk of bias; Goldstein) and children with Down syndrome or mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) diagnosed with mild to moderate OSAS by PSG (80 children aged six to 12 years; moderate to high risk of bias; Sudarsan). Moreover, the trials included two different comparisons: adenotonsillectomy versus no surgery (CHAT trial and Goldstein) or versus continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) (Sudarsan). Disease-specific quality of life and/or symptom score (using a validated instrument): first primary outcomeIn the largest trial with lowest risk of bias (CHAT trial), at seven months, mean scores for those instruments measuring disease-specific quality of life and/or symptoms were lower (that is, better quality of life or fewer symptoms) in children receiving adenotonsillectomy than in those managed by watchful waiting:- OSA-18 questionnaire (scale 18 to 126): 31.8 versus 49.5 (mean difference (MD) -17.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) -21.2 to -14.2);- PSQ-SRBD questionnaire (scale 0 to 1): 0.2 versus 0.5 (MD -0.3, 95% CI -0.31 to -0.26);- Modified Epworth Sleepiness Scale (scale 0 to 24): 5.1 versus 7.1 (MD -2.0, 95% CI -2.9 to -1.1).No data on this primary outcome were reported in the Goldstein trial.In the Sudarsan trial, the mean OSA-18 score at 12 months did not significantly differ between the adenotonsillectomy and CPAP groups. The mean modified Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores did not differ at six months, but were lower in the surgery group at 12 months: 5.5 versus 7.9 (MD -2.4, 95% CI -3.1 to -1.7). Adverse events: second primary outcomeIn the CHAT trial, 15 children experienced a serious adverse event: 6/194 (3%) in the adenotonsillectomy group and 9/203 (4%) in the control group (RD -1%, 95% CI -5% to 2%).No major complications were reported in the Goldstein trial.In the Sudarsan trial, 2/37 (5%) developed a secondary haemorrhage after adenotonsillectomy, while 1/36 (3%) developed a rash on the nasal dorsum secondary to the CPAP mask (RD -3%, 95% CI -6% to 12%). Secondary outcomesIn the CHAT trial, at seven months, mean scores for generic caregiver-rated quality of life were higher in children receiving adenotonsillectomy than in those managed by watchful waiting. No data on this outcome were reported by Sudarsan and Goldstein.In the CHAT trial, at seven months, more children in the surgery group had normalisation of respiratory events during sleep as measured by PSG than those allocated to watchful waiting: 153/194 (79%) versus 93/203 (46%) (RD 33%, 95% CI 24% to 42%). In the Goldstein trial, at six months, PSG recordings were similar between groups and in the Sudarsan trial resolution of OSAS (Apnoea/Hypopnoea Index score below 1) did not significantly differ between the adenotonsillectomy and CPAP groups.In the CHAT trial, at seven months, neurocognitive performance and attention and executive function had not improved with surgery: scores were similar in both groups. In the CHAT trial, at seven months, mean scores for caregiver-reported ratings of behaviour were lower (that is, better behaviour) in children receiving adenotonsillectomy than in those managed by watchful waiting, however, teacher-reported ratings of behaviour did not significantly differ.No data on these outcomes were reported by Goldstein and Sudarsan. In otherwise healthy children, without a syndrome, of older age (five to nine years), and diagnosed with mild to moderate OSAS by PSG, there is moderate quality evidence that adenotonsillectomy provides benefit in terms of quality of life, symptoms and behaviour as rated by caregivers and high quality evidence that this procedure is beneficial in terms of PSG parameters. At the same time, high quality evidence indicates no benefit in terms of objective measures of attention and neurocognitive performance compared with watchful waiting. Furthermore, PSG recordings of almost half of the children managed non-surgically had normalised by seven months, indicating that physicians and parents should carefully weigh the benefits and risks of adenotonsillectomy against watchful waiting in these children. This is a condition that may recover spontaneously over time.For non-syndromic children classified as having oSDB on purely clinical grounds but with negative PSG recordings, the evidence on the effects of adenotonsillectomy is of very low quality and is inconclusive.Low-quality evidence suggests that adenotonsillectomy and CPAP may be equally effective in children with Down syndrome or MPS diagnosed with mild to moderate OSAS by PSG.We are unable to present data on the benefits of adenotonsillectomy in children with oSDB aged under five, despite this being a population in whom this procedure is often performed for this purpose.

Indications for tonsillectomy stratified by the level of evidence

PubMed Central

Windfuhr, Jochen P.

2016-01-01

Background: One of the most significant clinical trials, demonstrating the efficacy of tonsillectomy (TE) for recurrent throat infection in severely affected children, was published in 1984. This systematic review was undertaken to compile various indications for TE as suggested in the literature after 1984 and to stratify the papers according to the current concept of evidence-based medicine. Material and methods: A systematic Medline research was performed using the key word of “tonsillectomy“ in combination with different filters such as “systematic reviews“, “meta-analysis“, “English“, “German“, and “from 1984/01/01 to 2015/05/31“. Further research was performed in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, National Guideline Clearinghouse, Guidelines International Network and BMJ Clinical Evidence using the same key word. Finally, data from the “Trip Database” were researched for “tonsillectomy” and “indication“ and “from: 1984 to: 2015“ in combination with either “systematic review“ or “meta-analysis“ or “metaanalysis”. Results: A total of 237 papers were retrieved but only 57 matched our inclusion criteria covering the following topics: peritonsillar abscess (3), guidelines (5), otitis media with effusion (5), psoriasis (3), PFAPA syndrome (6), evidence-based indications (5), renal diseases (7), sleep-related breathing disorders (11), and tonsillitis/pharyngitis (12), respectively. Conclusions: 1) The literature suggests, that TE is not indicated to treat otitis media with effusion. 2) It has been shown, that the PFAPA syndrome is self-limiting and responds well to steroid administration, at least in a considerable amount of children. The indication for TE therefore appears to be imbalanced but further research is required to clarify the value of surgery. 3) Abscesstonsillectomy as a routine is not justified and indicated only for cases not responding to other measures of treatment, evident complications, or with a significant history of tonsillitis. In particular, interval-tonsillectomy is not justified as a routine. 4) TE, with or without adenoidectomy, is efficacious to resolve sleep-related breathing disorders resulting from (adeno)tonsillar hypertrophy in children. However, the benefit is reduced by co-morbidities, such as obesity, and further research is required to identify prognostic factors for this subgroup of patients. Further research is indicated to clarify selection criteria not only for this subpopulation that may benefit from less invasive procedures such as tonsillotomy in the long-term. 5) Further trials are also indicated to evaluate the efficacy of TE on the clinical course in children with psoriasis guttata as well as on psoriasis vulgaris in adults, not responding to first-line therapy. 6) Conflicting results were reported concerning the role of TE in the concert to treat Ig-A nephropathy, mandating further clinical research. 7) Most importantly, randomized-controlled clinical trials with an adequate long-term follow-up are desirable to clarify the benefit of TE in patients with recurrent episodes of tonsillitis, with or without pharyngitis. Factors like age, spontaneous healing rate and postoperative quality of life have to be included when comparing TE with antibiotic therapy. PMID:28025609

Tonsillectomy in Maine: Regulation Versus Education as Modulators of Medical Care

PubMed Central

Moore, Francis D.; Pratt, Loring W.

1981-01-01

The reduction in the rate of tonsillectomy, using the state of Maine as an example, and the causes thereof are addressed. Are federal and state regulations required to change the behavior of physicians and the public, or is education of greater importance? A study of tonsillectomy in the state of Maine was based on data covering a period of approximately 30 years. The data were based on direct contact with hospitals, in which we achieved the cooperation of virtually all of the hospitals of Maine, encompassing 98% of the hospital beds. These data were placed in context by information provided by the Maine Health Data Service, and by information for the northeastern United States, for the eastern United States, and for the entire United States, from the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. The operation of tonsillectomy and its variants, including adenoidectomy, has declined remarkably in the past 30 years, most drastically in the past eight years. It now occupies only 4.5% of the total operative admissions for the State, where it formerly was 17%. It now has a populational incidence for the State of 3.3 operations per thousand population per year, whereas it formerly was at a level of about 10.0. From this study, as well as from physicians in Maine, to whom an informal questionnaire was sent, it is clear that this reduction has come about largely because of education of physicians and the public. Increased awareness by the public, pediatricians and general practitioners of the limitations of this operation has been significant. In addition, there is a general sense of improved general health of young people in Maine, with fewer chronic respiratory infections. Some negative opinions were expressed, including the possibility that peritonsillar abcesses may be more frequent in the future and that some pediatricians and general practitioners overuse antibiotics. Federal regulations, state regulations, Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross or Blue Shield regulations concerning tonsillectomy were not instituted at any point in the State of Maine, during the period under study. There were no alterations in payment, second opinion programs or other restrictions or constraints placed on the operation at any level of official or hospital regulation. Formerly performed in large numbers by general practitioners, family practitioners, and general surgeons, the operation(s) is now predominantly carried out by trained otolaryngologists, largely board certified. Evidence is presented to support the view that concentration of this operation in the hands of fewer, more highly trained surgical specialists has been positively associated with its sharper indications and declining frequency. The conclusion is offered that increased education of physicians, both specialists and general practitioners as well as family doctors, and of the public as a whole, is the most important single factor in producing this significant alteration in the behavior of the health care system in the State of Maine. Effective limitation of the operation to specialists has been an important feature both of this educational process and of the more rational use of the operation(s). PMID:7259351

Tonsillectomy in Maine: regulation versus education as modulators of medical care.

PubMed

Moore, F D; Pratt, L W

1981-08-01

The reduction in the rate of tonsillectomy, using the state of Maine as an example, and the causes thereof are addressed. Are federal and state regulations required to change the behavior of physicians and the public, or is education of greater importance? A study of tonsillectomy in the state of Maine was based on data covering a period of approximately 30 years. The data were based on direct contact with hospitals, in which we achieved the cooperation of virtually all of the hospitals of Maine, encompassing 98% of the hospital beds. These data were placed in context by information provided by the Maine Health Data Service, and by information for the northeastern United States, for the eastern United States, and for the entire United States, from the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. The operation of tonsillectomy and its variants, including adenoidectomy, has declined remarkably in the past 30 years, most drastically in the past eight years. It now occupies only 4.5% of the total operative admissions for the State, where it formerly was 17%. It now has a populational incidence for the State of 3.3 operations per thousand population per year, whereas it formerly was at a level of about 10.0. From this study, as well as from physicians in Maine, to whom an informal questionnaire was sent, it is clear that this reduction has come about largely because of education of physicians and the public. Increased awareness by the public, pediatricians and general practitioners of the limitations of this operation has been significant. In addition, there is a general sense of improved general health of young people in Maine, with fewer chronic respiratory infections. Some negative opinions were expressed, including the possibility that peritonsillar abcesses may be more frequent in the future and that some pediatricians and general practitioners overuse antibiotics. Federal regulations, state regulations, Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross or Blue Shield regulations concerning tonsillectomy were not instituted at any point in the State of Maine, during the period under study. There were no alterations in payment, second opinion programs or other restrictions or constraints placed on the operation at any level of official or hospital regulation. Formerly performed in large numbers by general practitioners, family practitioners, and general surgeons, the operation(s) is now predominantly carried out by trained otolaryngologists, largely board certified. Evidence is presented to support the view that concentration of this operation in the hands of fewer, more highly trained surgical specialists has been positively associated with its sharper indications and declining frequency. The conclusion is offered that increased education of physicians, both specialists and general practitioners as well as family doctors, and of the public as a whole, is the most important single factor in producing this significant alteration in the behavior of the health care system in the State of Maine. Effective limitation of the operation to specialists has been an important feature both of this educational process and of the more rational use of the operation(s).

Pycnodysostosis at otorhinolaryngology.

PubMed

Baglam, Tekin; Binnetoglu, Adem; Fatih Topuz, Muhammet; Baş Ikizoglu, Nilay; Ersu, Refika; Turan, Serap; Sarı, Murat

2017-04-01

Pycnodysostosis is a rare autosomal, recessive, skeletal dysplasia caused by a mutation in the cathepsin k gene. Pycnodysostosis is characterized by short stature, characteristic facial appearance (delayed closure of fontanelles and cranial sutures, mandibular hypoplasia and angle disorder, blue sclera), and acroosteolysis of the distal phalanges. Our aim was to describe the otorhinolaryngologic findings, differential diagnoses, various treatment options, and followup in eight cases of pycnodysostosis. This retrospective clinical study used data from eight patients diagnosed with pycnodysostosis by a single pediatric endocrinologist primarily based on clinical and radiographic findings. All patients were referred to the otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic by the pediatric endocrinology unit of the Marmara University between February 2013 and March 2015. Detailed medical histories were obtained in all cases and otorhinolaryngologic physical examination, blood assays, electrocardiogram, lateral skull X-rays, chest radiograph, cephalometric investigations, tympanograms, and audiograms were also carried out. Sleep videos of patients were recorded and those with upper airway problems were evaluated for sleep apnea by polysomnography. Informed consent form was obtained from the parents of all patients. Eight patients (7 females and 1 male) displaying proportionate dwarfism were included in the study. They had a mean age of 14.7 years (range: 13-16 y), the mean height of 141.3 cm (range 132-155 cm), and mean weight of 44.4 kg (range: 39.6-49.3 kg). All patients had facial dysmorphism with frontal bossing and the hands and feet had short digits with overlying cutaneous wrinkles that tapered off with large overriding nails. Midfacial hypoplasia and malocclusion were observed in seven of the eight patients (87.5%), four (50%) had micrognathia, and five (62.5%) had proptosis. Tympanograms and audiograms of all patients were type A and normal, and the mean of the pure tone audiogram was 13.3 dB (range: 10-16 dB). All patients had a narrow and grooved palate with disturbed dentition; two of them (25%) had mild markedness of the tongue base, five (62.5%) had grade 3 and three (37.5%) had grade 2 tonsillar hypertrophy, and five (62.5%) had adenoid hypertrophy. One patient (12.5%) had grade 3 Mallampati, four (50%) showed grade 2 Mallampati while three (37.5%) patients displayed grade 1 Mallampati score. Further, while six (75%) patients had no uvular pathology, one (12.5%) patient presented with uvular elongation and another patient had a bifid uvula. Cephalometric measurements such as PAS-UP (mean 5.67 mm; range: 5.0-7.6 mm) and PAS-TP (mean 9.61 mm; range: 8.5-12.2 mm) were lower than that of normal subjects. Video recordings showed that six of the eight patients (75%) had respiratory distress and four (50%) had sleep apnea. Polysomnography in these patients with sleep apnea showed that two had mild OSA (AHI: 18.2 and 20.1 events/hour) and two had severe OSA (AHI: 53.4 and 62.8 events/hour). For upper airway problems, an adenotonsillectomy was performed in two (25%) patients while two others required an adenoidectomy. Positive pressure ventilation was recommended in two patients with persistent sleep apnea after adeno/adenotonsillectomy. However, because of the parental objections, the follow-up polysomnographs could not be obtained. Pycnodysostosis is a very rare form of bone dysplasia. Otorhinolaryngologically, proper follow-up of these patients and appropriate treatment of upper airway problems are important to achieve an acceptable quality of life. Adeno/adenotonsillectomy and positive pressure ventilation, used as conservative approaches in treating upper airway problems, are effective and could be used instead of an aggressive surgery such as tracheotomy or maxillomandibular advancement. This study, to the best of our knowledge, is the largest ENT case series on pycnodysostosis. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chronic hip pain in a boy with mental retardation and cerebral palsy.

PubMed

Stein, Martin T; Gottsegen, David; Blasco, Peter A; Wolraich, Mark; Hennessy, Michael J

2010-04-01

Jonny is a 13 year old boy with spastic quadriparesis and severe mental retardation following Haemophilus influenza type B (HIB) meningitis at 2-months of age. Signs of meningitis started on the evening of his 2-month immunizations that included the HIB vaccine. He presented to his pediatrician with left hip pain that occurred intermittently for a few years and more frequently in the past six months. His parents initially attributed the pain to whizzing around the back yard in a motorized wheelchair. An earlier evaluation of hip pain led to bilateral femoral osteotomies for hip dysplasia. Obesity, associated with inactivity and a tendency to consume fatty foods, complicates Jonny's disabilities. His only activity is a modest amount of physical therapy at school and "floor time" for about one hour each day at home. In the office of his pediatrician, Jonny is friendly, smiling, and verbalizing a few words with his limited expressive vocabulary. He is resistant to a hip examination and grimaces with manipulation of his left hip. Spasticity of the left leg appears increased compared to previous examinations. He has nonpitting edema of his lower legs and feet, a cryptorchid left testicle, and a somewhat tender left inguinal area. Jonny lives with his mother and father in a small house on a busy street less than one-half mile from the pediatrician's office. Jonny's pediatrician often sees him in his wheelchair, accompanied by his mother or grandmother, and waves or stops to chat. He has van services to school, and there is a Hoyer lift in the home, but his parents do not own a van. Recently, Jonny's father finds it more difficult to lift him. The family has also been challenged by the mental health problems of Jonny's two older brothers, and a serious eye injury suffered by his middle brother in a motor-vehicle accident. Jonny's pediatrician has cared for him and his two brothers since birth. Although the parents continue to believe that the HIB vaccine caused his catastrophic illness, they remain with the pediatrician. In general, they are satisfied with the individualized educational plan at a local public school. When he was 6.5 years old, Jonny's school aid reported that he attempted to touch her in the genital area. The pediatrician attended the meeting to review this incident and successfully advocated for Jonny by pointing out that this was an isolated incident; it did not occur again. At 6 years old Jonny functioned in the 1.5-2.5 year old range with motor skills in the 6-12 month level according to the Bayley Scales of Infant Development and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales. In the past a neurologist and a physiatrist saw Jonny, but both of these individuals moved from the community. He had prior evaluations at a children's orthopedic clinic at a small community hospital and at the local Shriner's hospital. He had a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy at 7 years old. He is currently treated for constipation and receives dental care at a clinic for people with disabilities. His pediatrician has always respected the parents for their care and obvious love for their disabled child. However, parental resistance to addressing major issues such as obesity has frustrated his pediatrician. When the pediatrician suggested that Jonny was eligible for the state's managed care program, which would convert Medicaid coverage to a state sponsored program with more extensive services and case management, Jonny's mother repeatedly said that she would "think it over." At the current visit, the pediatrician recommended an adjustment of Jonny's wheelchair, a hip x-ray, a referral to Shriner's Hospital, and an appointment with a pediatric surgeon to address the undescended testicle and possible hernia. Jonny's mother mentioned that he had been to Shriner's Hospital for hip pain two years earlier but was told nothing could be done "because nothing was wrong with his bone." The hip x-ray was normal as well as a complete blood count and a C-reactive protein. The pediatric surgeon did not find a hernia and deferred treatment of the cryptorchid testicle. His parents contacted the wheelchair company to arrange adjustments. The pediatrician called the medical director at the Shriner's Hospital to discuss Jonny's case, but 2 months after the initial visit, the parents had not arranged for an appointment at the Shriner's Hospital. Jonny's hip pain persisted. The pediatrician now wonders how he can more effectively address Jonny's current problems and improve overall care for him and his family.

Antibiotics for otitis media with effusion in children.

PubMed

Venekamp, Roderick P; Burton, Martin J; van Dongen, Thijs M A; van der Heijden, Geert J; van Zon, Alice; Schilder, Anne G M

2016-06-12

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is characterised by an accumulation of fluid in the middle ear behind an intact tympanic membrane, without the symptoms or signs of acute infection. Since most cases of OME will resolve spontaneously, only children with persistent middle ear effusion and associated hearing loss potentially require treatment. Previous Cochrane reviews have focused on the effectiveness of ventilation tube insertion, adenoidectomy, nasal autoinflation, antihistamines, decongestants and corticosteroids in OME. This review, focusing on the effectiveness of antibiotics in children with OME, is an update of a Cochrane review published in 2012. To assess the benefits and harms of oral antibiotics in children up to 18 years with OME. The Cochrane ENT Information Specialist searched the ENT Trials Register; Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL 2016, Issue 3); PubMed; Ovid EMBASE; CINAHL; Web of Science; ClinicalTrials.gov; ICTRP and additional sources for published and unpublished trials. The date of the search was 14 April 2016. Randomised controlled trials comparing oral antibiotics with placebo, no treatment or therapy of unproven effectiveness in children with OME. We used the standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. Twenty-five trials (3663 children) were eligible for inclusion. Two trials did not report on any of the outcomes of interest, leaving 23 trials (3258 children) covering a range of antibiotics, participants, outcome measures and time points for evaluation. Overall, we assessed most studies as being at low to moderate risk of bias.We found moderate quality evidence (six trials including 484 children) that children treated with oral antibiotics are more likely to have complete resolution at two to three months post-randomisation (primary outcome) than those allocated to the control treatment (risk ratio (RR) 2.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.58 to 2.53; number needed to treat to benefit (NNTB) 5). However, there is evidence (albeit of low quality; five trials, 742 children) indicating that children treated with oral antibiotics are more likely to experience diarrhoea, vomiting or skin rash (primary outcome) than those allocated to control treatment (RR 2.15, 95% CI 1.29 to 3.60; number needed to treat to harm (NNTH) 20).In respect of the secondary outcome of complete resolution at any time point, we found low to moderate quality evidence from five meta-analyses, including between two and 14 trials, of a beneficial effect of antibiotics, with a NNTB ranging from 3 to 7. Time periods ranged from 10 to 14 days to six months.In terms of other secondary outcomes, only two trials (849 children) reported on hearing levels at two to four weeks and found conflicting results. None of the trials reported data on speech, language and cognitive development or quality of life. Low quality evidence did not show that oral antibiotics were associated with a decrease in the rate of ventilation tube insertion (two trials, 121 children) or in tympanic membrane sequelae (one trial, 103 children), while low quality evidence indicated that children treated with antibiotics were less likely to have acute otitis media episodes within four to eight weeks (five trials, 1086 children; NNTB 18) and within six months post-randomisation (two trials, 199 children; NNTB 5). It should, however, be noted that the beneficial effect of oral antibiotics on acute otitis media episodes within four to eight weeks was no longer significant when we excluded studies with high risk of bias. This review presents evidence of both benefits and harms associated with the use of oral antibiotics to treat children up to 16 years with OME. Although evidence indicates that oral antibiotics are associated with an increased chance of complete resolution of OME at various time points, we also found evidence that these children are more likely to experience diarrhoea, vomiting or skin rash. The impact of antibiotics on short-term hearing is uncertain and low quality evidence did not show that oral antibiotics were associated with fewer ventilation tube insertions. Furthermore, we found no data on the impact of antibiotics on other important outcomes such as speech, language and cognitive development or quality of life.Even in situations where clear and relevant benefits of oral antibiotics have been demonstrated, these must always be carefully balanced against adverse effects and the emergence of bacterial resistance. This has specifically been linked to the widespread use of antibiotics for common conditions such as otitis media.

Antibiotics for otitis media with effusion in children.

PubMed

van Zon, Alice; van der Heijden, Geert J; van Dongen, Thijs M A; Burton, Martin J; Schilder, Anne G M

2012-09-12

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is characterised by an accumulation of fluid in the middle ear behind an intact tympanic membrane, without the symptoms or signs of acute infection. In approximately one in three children with OME, however, a bacterial pathogen is identified in the middle ear fluid. In most cases, OME causes mild hearing impairment of short duration. When experienced in early life and when episodes of (bilateral) OME persist or recur, the associated hearing loss may be significant and have a negative impact on speech development and behaviour. Since most cases of OME will resolve spontaneously, only children with persistent middle ear effusion and associated hearing loss potentially require treatment. Previous Cochrane reviews have focused on the effectiveness of ventilation tube insertion, adenoidectomy, autoinflation, antihistamines, decongestants, and oral and topical intranasal steroids in OME. This review focuses on the effectiveness of antibiotics in children with OME. To assess the effects of antibiotics in children up to 18 years with OME. We searched the Cochrane Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Group Trials Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); PubMed; EMBASE; CINAHL; Web of Science; BIOSIS Previews; Cambridge Scientific Abstracts; ICTRP and additional sources for published and unpublished trials. The date of the search was 22 February 2012. Randomised controlled trials comparing oral antibiotics with placebo, no treatment or therapy of unproven effectiveness. Our primary outcome was complete resolution of OME at two to three months. Secondary outcomes included resolution of OME at other time points, hearing, language and speech, ventilation tube insertion and adverse effects. Two authors independently extracted data using standardised data extraction forms and assessed the quality of the included studies using the Cochrane 'Risk of bias' tool. We presented dichotomous results as risk differences as well as risk ratios, with their 95% confidence intervals. If heterogeneity was greater than 75% we did not pool data. We included 23 studies (3027 children) covering a range of antibiotics, participants, outcome measures and time points of evaluation. Overall, we assessed the studies as generally being at low risk of bias.Our primary outcome was complete resolution of OME at two to three months. The differences (improvement) in the proportion of children having such resolution (risk difference (RD)) in the five individual included studies ranged from 1% (RD 0.01, 95% CI -0.11 to 0.12; not significant) to 45% (RD 0.45, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.65). Results from these studies could not be pooled due to clinical and statistical heterogeneity.Pooled analysis of data for complete resolution at more than six months was possible, with an increase in resolution of 13% (RD 0.13, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.19).Pooled analysis was also possible for complete resolution at the end of treatment, with the following increases in resolution rates: 17% (RD 0.17, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.24) for treatment for 10 days to two weeks, 34% (RD 0.34, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.50) for treatment for four weeks, 32% (RD 0.32, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.47) for treatment for three months, and 14% (RD 0.14, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.24) for treatment continuously for at least six months.We were unable to find evidence of a substantial improvement in hearing as a result of the use of antibiotics for otitis media with effusion; nor did we find an effect on the rate of ventilation tube insertion. We did not identify any trials that looked at speech, language and cognitive development or quality of life. Data on the adverse effects of antibiotic treatment reported in six studies could not be pooled due to high heterogeneity. Increases in the occurrence of adverse events varied from 3% (RD 0.03, 95% CI -0.01 to 0.07; not significant) to 33% (RD 0.33, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.44) in the individual studies. The results of our review do not support the routine use of antibiotics for children up to 18 years with otitis media with effusion. The largest effects of antibiotics were seen in children treated continuously for four weeks and three months. Even when clear and relevant benefits of antibiotics have been demonstrated, these must be balanced against the potential adverse effects when making treatment decisions. Immediate adverse effects of antibiotics are common and the emergence of bacterial resistance has been causally linked to the widespread use of antibiotics for common conditions such as otitis media.

Tonsillitis and sore throat in children

PubMed Central

Stelter, Klaus

2014-01-01

Surgery of the tonsils is still one of the most frequent procedures during childhood. Due to a series of fatal outcomes after hemorrhage in children in Austria in 2006, the standards and indications for tonsillectomy have slowly changed in Germany. However, no national guidelines exist and the frequency of tonsil surgery varies across the country. In some districts eight times more children were tonsillectomized than in others. A tonsillectomy in children under six years should only be done if the child suffers from recurrent acute bacterially tonsillitis. In all other cases (i.e. hyperplasia of the tonsils) the low risk partial tonsillectomy should be the first line therapy. Postoperative pain and the risk of hemorrhage are much lower in partial tonsillectomy (=tonsillotomy). No matter whether the tonsillotomy is done by laser, radiofrequency, shaver, coblation, bipolar scissor or Colorado needle, as long as the crypts are kept open and some tonsil tissue is left behind. Total extracapsular tonsillectomy is still indicated in severely affected children with recurrent infections of the tonsils, allergy to antibiotics, PFAPA syndrome (periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis) and peritonsillar abscess. With regard to the frequency and seriousness of the recurrent tonsillitis the indication for tonsillectomy in children is justified if 7 or more well-documented, clinically important, adequately treated episodes of throat infection occur in the preceding year, or 5 or more of such episodes occur in each of the 2 preceding years (according to the paradise criteria). Diagnosis of acute tonsillitis is clinical, but sometimes it is hard to distinguish viral from bacterial infections. Rapid antigen testing has a very low sensitivity in the diagnosis of bacterial tonsillitis and swabs are highly sensitive but take a long time. In all microbiological tests the treating physician has to keep in mind, that most of the bacterials, viruses and fungi belong to the healthy flora and do no harm. Ten percent of healthy children even bear strepptococcus pyogenes all the time in the tonsils with no clinical signs. In these children decolonization is not necessary. Therefore, microbiological screening tests in children without symptoms are senseless and do not justify an antibiotic treatment (which is sometimes postulated by the kindergartens). The acute tonsillitis should be treated with steroids (e.g. dexamethasone), NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofene) and betalactam antibiotics (e.g. penicillin or cefuroxime). With respect to the symptom reduction and primary healing the short-term late-generation antibiotic therapy (azithromycin, clarithromycin or cephalosporine for three to five days) is comparable to the long-term penicilline therapy. There is no difference in the course of healing, recurrence or microbiological resistance between the short-term penicilline therapy and the standard ten days therapy. On the other hand, only the ten days antibiotic therapy has proven to be effective in the prevention of rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritic diseases. The incidence of rheumatic heart disease is currently 0.5 per 100,000 children of school age. The main morbidity after tonsillectomy is pain and the late haemorrhage. Posttonsillectomy bleeding can occur till the whole wound is completely healed, which is normally after three weeks. Life-threatening haemorrhages occur often after smaller bleedings, which can spontaneously cease. That is why every haemorrhage, even the smallest, has to be treated properly and in ward. Patients and parents have to be informed about the correct behaviour in case of haemorrhage with a written consent before the surgery. The handout should contain important addresses, phone numbers and contact persons. Almost all cases of fatal outcome after tonsillectomy were due to false management of haemorrhage. Haemorrhage in small children can be especially life-threatening because of the lower blood volume and the danger of aspiration with asphyxia. A massive haemorrhage is an extreme challenge for every paramedic or emergency doctor because of the difficult airway management. Intubation is only possible with appropriate inflexible suction tubes. All different surgical techniques have the risk of haemorrhage and even the best surgeon will experience a postoperative haemorrhage. The lowest risk of haemorrhage is after cold dissection with ligature or suturing. All “hot” techniques with laser, radiofrequency, coblation, mono- or bipolar forceps have a higher risk of late haemorrhage. Children with a hereditary coagulopathy have a higher risk of haemorrhage. It is possible, that these children were not identified before surgery. Therefore it is recommended by the Society of paediatrics, anaesthesia and ENT, that a standardised questionnaire should be answered by the parents before tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. This 17-point-checklist questionnaire is more sensitive and easier to perform than a screening with blood tests (e.g. INR and PTT). Unfortunately, a lot of surgeons still screen the children preoperatively by coagulative blood tests, although these tests are inappropriate and incapable of detecting the von Willebrand disease, which is the most frequent coagulopathy in Europe. The preoperative information about the surgery should be done with the child and the parents in a calm and objective atmosphere with a written consent. A copy of the consent with the signature of the surgeon and both custodial parents has to be handed out to the parents. PMID:25587367

Preoperative blood transfusions for sickle cell disease

PubMed Central

Estcourt, Lise J; Fortin, Patricia M; Trivella, Marialena; Hopewell, Sally

2016-01-01

Background Sickle cell disease is one of the commonest severe monogenic disorders in the world, due to the inheritance of two abnormal haemoglobin (beta globin) genes. Sickle cell disease can cause severe pain, significant end-organ damage, pulmonary complications, and premature death. Surgical interventions are more common in people with sickle cell disease, and occur at much younger ages than in the general population. Blood transfusions are frequently used prior to surgery and several regimens are used but there is no consensus over the best method or the necessity of transfusion in specific surgical cases. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 2001. Objectives To determine whether there is evidence that preoperative blood transfusion in people with sickle cell disease undergoing elective or emergency surgery reduces mortality and perioperative or sickle cell-related serious adverse events. To compare the effectiveness of different transfusion regimens (aggressive or conservative) if preoperative transfusions are indicated in people with sickle cell disease. Search methods We searched for relevant trials in The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE (from 1946), Embase (from 1974), the Transfusion Evidence Library (from 1980), and ongoing trial databases; all searches current to 23 March 2016. We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group Trials Register: 18 January 2016. Selection criteria All randomised controlled trials and quasi-randomised controlled trials comparing preoperative blood transfusion regimens to different regimens or no transfusion in people with sickle cell disease undergoing elective or emergency surgery. There was no restriction by outcomes examined, language or publication status. Data collection and analysis Two authors independently assessed trial eligibility and the risk of bias and extracted data. Main results Three trials with 990 participants were eligible for inclusion in the review. There were no ongoing trials identified. These trials were conducted between 1988 and 2011. The majority of people included had haemoglobin (Hb) SS SCD. The majority of surgical procedures were considered low or intermediate risk for developing sickle cell-related complications. Aggressive versus simple red blood cell transfusions One trial (551 participants) compared an aggressive transfusion regimen (decreasing sickle haemoglobin to less than 30%) to a simple transfusion regimen (increasing haemoglobin to 100 g/l). This trial re-randomised participants and therefore quantitative analysis was only possible on two subsets of data: participants undergoing cholecystectomy (230 participants); and participants undergoing tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy surgeries (107 participants). Data were not combined as we do not know if any participant received both surgeries. Overall, the quality of the evidence was very low across different outcomes according to GRADE methodology. This was due to the trial being at high risk of bias primarily due to lack of blinding, indirectness and the outcome estimates being imprecise. Cholecystectomy subgroup results are reported in the abstract. Results for both subgroups were similar. There was no difference in all-cause mortality between people receiving aggressive transfusions and those receiving conservative transfusions. No deaths occurred in either subgroup. There were no differences between the aggressive transfusion group and conservative transfusion group in the number of people developing: an acute chest syndrome, risk ratio 0.84 (95% confidence interval 0.38 to 1.84) (one trial, 230 participants, very low quality evidence);vaso-occlusive crisis, risk ratio 0.30 (95% confidence interval 0.09 to 1.04) (one trial, 230 participants, very low quality evidence);serious infection, risk ratio 1.75 (95% confidence interval 0.59 to 5.18) (one trial, 230 participants, very low quality evidence);any perioperative complications, risk ratio 0.75 (95% confidence interval 0.36 to 1.55) (one trial, 230 participants, very low quality evidence);a transfusion-related complication, risk ratio 1.85 (95% confidence interval 0.89 to 3.88) (one trial, 230 participants, very low quality evidence). Preoperative transfusion versus no preoperative transfusion Two trials (434 participants) compared a preoperative transfusion plus standard care to a group receiving standard care. Overall, the quality of the evidence was low to very low across different outcomes according to GRADE methodology. This was due to the trials being at high risk of bias due to lack of blinding, and outcome estimates being imprecise. One trial was stopped early because more people in the no transfusion arm developed an acute chest syndrome. There was no difference in all-cause mortality between people receiving preoperative transfusions and those receiving no preoperative transfusions (two trials, 434 participants, no deaths occurred). There was significant heterogeneity between the two trials in the number of people developing an acute chest syndrome, a meta-analysis was therefore not performed. One trial showed a reduced number of people developing acute chest syndrome between people receiving preoperative transfusions and those receiving no preoperative transfusions, risk ratio 0.11 (95% confidence interval 0.01 to 0.80) (65 participants), whereas the other trial did not, risk ratio 4.81 (95% confidence interval 0.23 to 99.61) (369 participants). There were no differences between the preoperative transfusion groups and the groups without preoperative transfusion in the number of people developing: a vaso-occlusive crisis, Peto odds ratio 1.91 (95% confidence interval 0.61 to 6.04) (two trials, 434 participants, very low quality evidence).a serious infection, Peto odds ratio 1.29 (95% confidence interval 0.29 to 5.71) (two trials, 434 participants, very low quality evidence);any perioperative complications, risk ratio 0.24 (95% confidence interval 0.03 to 2.05) (one trial, 65 participants, low quality evidence). There was an increase in the number of people developing circulatory overload in those receiving preoperative transfusions compared to those not receiving preoperative transfusions in one of the two trials, and no events were seen in the other trial (no meta-analysis performed). Authors’ conclusions There is insufficient evidence from randomised trials to determine whether conservative preoperative blood transfusion is as effective as aggressive preoperative blood transfusion in preventing sickle-related or surgery-related complications in people with HbSS disease. There is very low quality evidence that preoperative blood transfusion may prevent development of acute chest syndrome. Due to lack of evidence this review cannot comment on management for people with HbSC or HbSβ+ disease or for those with high baseline haemoglobin concentrations. PMID:27049331