Tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy versus nonsurgical management for obstructive sleep-disordered breathing in children

For the current issue of the Journal, we asked Dr Matthew Bromwich to comment on and put into context the Cochrane Review on Tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy compared to non-surgical management for obstructive sleep-disordered breathing in children. BACKGROUND 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. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to assess the benefits and harms of tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy compared with nonsurgical management of children with oSDB. © The Author(s) 2018. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Canadian Paediatric Society. All rights reserved.