The effectiveness of tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy in the treatment of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome: A meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: Present and evaluate the currently available literature reporting on the effectiveness of adenotonsillectomy (T/A) in treating obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in uncomplicated pediatric patients. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis of the reduction of the polysomnogram (PSG)-measured Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI events/hour) resulting from T/A and the overall success rate of T/A in normalizing PSG measurements (%). RESULTS: Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Mean sample size was 28. All were case series (level 4 evidence). The summary change in AHI was a reduction of 13.92 events per hour (random effects model 95% Cl 10.05-17.79, P < 0.001) from T/A. The summary success rate of T/A in normalizing PSG was 82.9% (random effects model 95% Cl 76.2%-89.5%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: T/A is effective in the treatment of OSAHS. However, success rates are far below 100%, which could have far-reaching pediatric public health consequences.