OBJECTIVETo explore the treatment methods of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

METHODSA total of 386 children with OSAHS were enrolled from June 2008 to April 2011.Ninety children with adenoid and tonsil ≤ degree III (group A) were randomly divided into A1 subgroup and A2 subgroup, while 22 of 296 (group B) children aged less than 3 years old with degree IV adenoid and(or) tonsil were divided into B1 subgroup, and the other 274 of 296 children with degree IV adenoid and (or) tonsil were divided into B1 subgroup, B2 subgroup and B3 subgroup. The adenoid, tonsil size examination and nasal endoscopic examination scores were performed before treatment, 3 months and 6 months after treatment. Drug therapy included oral antibiotics, mometasone furoate as a nasal spray, leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRAs), mucoactive medications. Conservative treatment meant drug therapy plus negative pressure of sputum aspiration.Surgical treatment meant coblation adenotonsillectomy. A1 subgroup received drug therapy for 3 months; A2 and B1 subgroup received conservative treatment for 3 months; B2 subgroup received coblation adenotonsillectomy after 3 days conservative treatment and postoperative drug therapy for 2 weeks; B3 subgroup received coblation adenotonsillectomy after 2 weeks conservative treatment and postoperative drug therapy for 3 months.

RESULTSThe adenoid and tonsil size of A2 subgroup decreased at 3 months after treatment (Wald χ² were 10.584 and 8.366, respectively, P < 0.05), no significant re-increase was found at 6 months, and no decrease was found in the A1 subgroup (P > 0.05). The nasal endoscopic examination scores decreased in both A1 and A2 subgroup at 3 months after the treatment (F = 403.420, P < 0.05), but it was found re-increase in A1 subgroup at the 6 months (P < 0.05), no significant re-increase was found in the A2 subgroup. The polysomnography (PSG) monitor of A2 subgroup was 100.0% normal at 3 months after treatment, while the A1 subgroup was only 43.2% (χ² = 36.189, P < 0.05). B2 and B3 subgroups cured after coblation adenotonsillectomy, but no decrease of the adenoid and tonsil size was found in B1 subgroup (P > 0.05). The nasal endoscopic examination scores of B1, B2 and B3 subgroups showed significant decrease after the treatment, but re-increase was found in both B1 and B2 subgroups at the 6 months (F = 1 614.244, P < 0.05), no significant re-increase was found in the B3 subgroup. The PSG monitor of B3 subgroup was 100.0% normal at 3 months after treatment, B2 subgroup 73.4%, and B1 subgroup only 57.4% (χ² = 90.846, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe treatment method of children with OSAHS should be selected according to the age, condition of disease, and size of the adenoid and tonsil. Adenoid and tonsil ≤ degree III should select conservative treatment; while for degree IV adenoid and (or) tonsil, surgical treatment should be primary choice. Conservative treatment can reduce the risk of perioperative and adequate postoperative drug therapy can help prevent recurrence after surgery.