Efficacy of tonsillectomy in treatment of recurrent group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether children with tonsillectomies experienced fewer recurrent group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) infections after surgery compared with children who did not receive tonsillectomies. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective cohort study of 290 children 4 to <16 years who experienced three or more episodes of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis at least 1 month apart in 12 months. RESULTS: Children without tonsillectomy were 3.1 times (95% confidence interval, 1.9-4.9; P < .001) more likely to develop a subsequent group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis infection during follow up than children who underwent tonsillectomy after adjusting for the number of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis infections per patient within the previous year and the presence of preexisting conditions. Among the children who developed a subsequent group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis infection, the children without a tonsillectomy developed a group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngeal infection sooner (median, 0.6 vs. 1.1 years). CONCLUSIONS: Tonsillectomy is associated with a decrease in the number of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis infections in children with a history of recurrent groups A beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis infection. Tonsillectomy also increased the amount of time before development of further GABHS pharyngitis.     

Tonsillotomy versus tonsillectomy in adults suffering from tonsil-related afflictions: a systematic review

Objective: Tonsillotomy has emerged as an alternative for tonsillectomy in treating patients with tonsil-related afflictions. Tonsillotomy provides favourable outcomes in children, but treatment of choice in adults remains unclear. This systematic review sought to evaluate the current literature on the efficacy and adverse events of tonsillotomy compared to tonsillectomy in adults.

Methods: A Medline and Cochrane search was conducted for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and cohort studies comparing tonsillotomy to tonsillectomy in adults. Risk of bias was assessed. Outcome measures were efficacy of the procedure in resolving the initial tonsil-related symptoms (tonsillitis, obstructive sleep apnoea, tonsil stones, halitosis, dysphagia), procedure-related complications, recovery time, post-operative use of analgesics, patient satisfaction, and operating time.

Results: In total nine papers were included. These trials had a high risk of bias and the inter-comparability of results was poor. The reported studies found generally a similar efficacy for both interventions. With regard to pain, the use of analgesics, patient satisfaction and operation time, the results were generally in favour of tonsillotomy. Post-operative haemorrhages were more frequent after tonsillectomy.

Conclusion: Current evidence suggests an equal efficacy of tonsillotomy and tonsillectomy in adults and a preference for tonsillotomy in terms of pain, analgesics use, patient-satisfaction, operation time and post-operative complications.     

Surgical management of obstructive sleep apnea in children with cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the surgical management of obstructive sleep apnea in children with cerebral palsy. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of 27 children with cerebral palsy who underwent surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. METHODS: Charts were reviewed. Data gathered included primary complaint, coexisting illnesses, initial procedure performed, age at initial surgery, number of days the child was monitored postoperatively in the intensive care unit, notation of postoperative respiratory distress and management, and outcome. RESULTS: Nineteen children underwent adenotonsillectomy for initial treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Three of these children also had a uvulectomy. Six children had an adenoidectomy alone as their initial procedure. Neither uvulopalatopharyngoplasty nor tracheostomy was performed as an initial procedure. Mean follow-up was 34 months. Seventy-six percent of these children have not required any further surgery. Of the six children who have undergone further surgery, one has required a revision adenoidectomy, and another underwent a tonsillectomy and uvulectomy 2 months after the initial adenoidectomy. Four children ultimately required a tracheotomy. CONCLUSIONS: Eighty-four percent of these children were successfully managed without a tracheotomy. We recommend tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy for initial surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in children with cerebral palsy.     

瑞芬太尼与芬太尼在小儿扁桃体切除术中的应用

目的比较观察瑞芬太尼与芬太尼在小儿扁桃体切除术中的应用效果。方法2008年1月~2009年1月,58例行小儿扁桃体切除术的患儿随机分为瑞芬太尼组和芬太尼组,每组29例,观察两组的MAP、HR以及术毕停药后患儿呼吸恢复时间、睁眼时间、拔管时间,记录恶心呕吐、躁动发生情况。结果两组T2、T3、T4和T5时MAP、HR均较T1时明显增高,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。并且,瑞芬太尼组T2、T3、T4和T5时MAP、HR均明显低于芬太尼组（P〈0.05）。瑞芬太尼组术后呼吸恢复时间、睁眼时间、拔管时间均明显短于芬太尼组,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。瑞芬太尼组术后躁动发生率明显高于芬太尼组,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;而恶心呕吐发生率,两组比较无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论瑞芬太尼可安全有效的应用于小儿扁桃体摘除术的麻醉,具有较好的临床应用价值。