Surgical versus non-surgical treatment in the Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome

The treatment of choice for pediatric OSAHS is surgical. However, its etiopathogenesis is multifactorial and surgery does not always solve it. Therefore, other modalities of treatment are used. The main objective of this study is to shed light on the efficacy of surgery compared to other treatments.

Prospective cohort study with 317 children ages 1-13 years and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥3/h with no previous treatment. The treatment was organised into 3 categories: surgical (n = 201), medical (n = 75) and observation (n = 41). Quality of life and sleep was assessed by two validated questionnaires (PSQ & Esteller et al.) The upper airway was explored, and nocturnal polysomnography (PSG) performed in every patient. After 12 ± 3 months of treatment was completed, a new PSG and questionnaires were evaluated.

The surgical group improved significantly both subjectively and objectively. Mean AHI decreased from 7.95/h to 2.57/h and T 90 (time spent with arterial oxygen saturation <90%) from 0.49 to 0. AHI of the medical group decreased only from 5.09/h to 4.9/h. Subjective parameters improved less than in the surgical group. Persistence after surgery was 31%, 50% following medical treatment, and after observation 75%. There were no differences in age and BMI between groups. Age or obesity showed no relationship with treatment success or failure.

The best results were achieved in surgically treated children. However, 31% of those operated had OSAHS persistence, which means a combination of treatments may be the most appropriate strategy.