Effects of adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy on the cardiovascular system in children: a meta-analysis

Adenoid or adenotonsillar hypertrophy (AATH) causes upper airway obstruction, leading to cardiovascular complications. This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy (AATE) on the cardiovascular system.

Using the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, and EMBASE databases, we identified studies involving a comparison of preoperative and postoperative cardiovascular function in children with AATH. The Cochrane Collaboration's Review Manager 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis.

A total of 13 studies with 706 participants were included. The meta-analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) of patients after AATE compared with preoperative values. The left ventricular myocardial function index (LVMPI) and the right ventricular myocardial function index (RVMPI) showed a significant decrease after the operation. Moreover, AATE prominently increased left ventricular ejection time (LVET) and right ventricular ejection time (RVET) and reduced the left ventricular interventricular septum diameter (LVIVSD) and the right ventricular end-diastolic diameter (RVedD). There was no significant difference in mPAP, LVMPI, RVMPI, LVET, RVET, LVIVSD, and RVedD between postoperative patients and healthy children (P  > 0.05).

AATE can improve cardiovascular function in pediatric patients with AATH. Specifically, it reduces mPAP and LVMPI/RVMPI in pediatric patients. Furthermore, AATE increases LVET and RVET and reduces LVIVSD and RVedD.