Removal of the adenoid and tonsils, known as an adenotonsillectomy (AT) is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures in North America. The two most prevalent indications for this procedure in children are recurrent bacterial tonsillitis and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is a common childhood condition that is characterized by upper airway obstruction, disturbed sleep and disrupted normal respiratory gas exchange. In the majority of children with OSA, overgrowth of the adenoid and tonsils is the primary underlying aetiology, making tissue removal via AT the standard of care. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of two different surgical techniques, electrocautery-tonsillectomy and coblation-tonsillotomy, in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
100
standard of care electrocautery tonsillectomy
use of Arthrocare Coblation Technology to perform tonsillotomy
Alberta Children's Hospital
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
RECRUITINGCompare coblation-tonsillotomy to electrocautery-tonsillectomy as a treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), as assessed by apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) measured on polysomnography (PSG)
Time frame: 6 months and 2 years post-op
Evaluate post-operative pain and analgesic use associated with electrocautery-tonsillectomy and coblation-tonsillotomy
Time frame: 1 week post-op
Evaluate quality of life following coblation-tonsillotomy and electrocautery-tonsillectomy for the treatment of OSA
Time frame: 6-8 weeks post-op
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