Predictors of persistent sleep apnea after surgery in children younger than 3 years.

IMPORTANCE: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder in children and can lead to important sequelae. Predictors of persistent OSA after adenotonsillectomy (T&A) in younger children are not well studied. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate residual OSA in a subgroup of children younger than 3 years after T&A and identify predictors of postoperative residual disease. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Retrospective review of medical records at a tertiary academic children's hospital involving children younger than 3 years who had OSA documented by polysomnogram(PSG) and underwent T&A during the period October 1, 2002, through June 30, 2010. Some of these children had both preoperative and postoperative PSGs. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Effect of T&A on sleep study parameters and predictors of persistent disease after surgery. RESULTS A total of 283 patients (mean [SD] age, 22 [7] months) underwent a preoperative PSG, with 70 of these patients having both a preoperative and postoperative PSG. In the group who had preoperative and postoperative PSGs, there were statistically significant improvements in mean (SD) apnea hypopnea index (AHI) (34.8 [40.7] to 5.7 [13.8]; P < .001), baseline oxygen saturation (96.6%[2.1%] to 97.2%[1.4%]; P = .05), minimum oxygen saturation (77.2%[11.4%] to 89.9%[6.8%]; P < .001), and sleep efficiency (84.7%[14.9%] to 88.7%[9.1%]; P = .02) after T&A. When AHI greater than 5 was used as the definition of OSA, 21% of the patients (15 of 70) had residual OSA. The most consistent predictor of residual OSA after T&A was the severity of preoperative OSA (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In a subgroup of children younger than 3 years with OSA, we found a high rate of residual OSA after T&A. Predictors of residual disease include severity of preoperative OSA as determined by PSG result. Postoperative PSGs might be indicated in these patients.

Effect of fluticasone furoate on interleukin 6 secretion from adenoid tissues in children with obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of intranasal corticosteroid therapy on T-regulatory cells and other inflammatory cytokines in adenoid tissues in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. DESIGN: Randomized, prospective, exploratory study. SETTING: Academic pediatric otolaryngology practice in a tertiary care children's hospital. PATIENTS: Participants included 24 children between the ages of 2 and 12 years who were undergoing adenotonsillectomy for polysomnogram-documented obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. INTERVENTION: Children were randomized to either no treatment (n = 13) or treatment with fluticasone furoate nasal spray, 55 µg/nostril daily (n = 11), for 2 weeks before adenotonsillectomy. Adenoid tissue was obtained at the time of the procedure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The number of tissue T-regulatory cells, as determined by staining with FOXP3, CD4, and CD25, was the primary outcome measure. Staining for interleukin (IL)-10 and transforming growth factor-ß protein by immunohistochemistry, and adenoid mononuclear cell spontaneous and induced release of cytokines (IL-10, IL-6, IL-12, IL-13, tumor necrosis factor, and transforming growth factor ß) were secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Cells isolated from fluticasone furoate nasal spray-treated adenoid tissue released significantly less IL-6 spontaneously as well as upon stimulation with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (P = .05) compared with nontreated adenoid tissue. There were no significant differences in the number of CD4/FOXP3-, CD25/FOXP3-, or transforming growth factor ß-positive cells. Intensity of staining for IL-10 was also comparable between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we show reduction of IL-6, a proinflammatory cytokine, in adenoid tissue obtained from children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome treated with fluticasone furoate nasal spray. This reduction could contribute to the clinical efficacy of this class of medications in the treatment of childhood obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Medicolegal analysis of injury during endoscopic sinus surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To survey the causes, characteristics, and outcomes of malpractice litigation resulting from injuries sustained during endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of United States state and federal civil litigation involving injuries resulting from ESS. METHODS: Sources were state and federal court decisions and jury verdict reports accessed through a computerized legal database. The 41 cases were decided or settled between 1990 and 2003. The cases and reports were analyzed for pertinent data regarding plaintiffs, defendants, allegations of wrongdoing, resulting injury, expert witnesses, and resulting verdict or settlement. Correlation between severity of injury and case outcome was analyzed. RESULTS: All suits reviewed involved ESS. Many cases included multiple causes of action, or types of malpractice, including negligent technique, 31 (76%); lack of informed consent, 15 (37%); and wrongful death, 2 (5%). The defendant-physician specialty was overwhelmingly otolaryngology, 40 (98%). The most common presenting complaint, or indication for surgery, was chronic sinusitis, 30 (73%). The injuries caused by surgery were frequently multiple, including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, 10 (24%); brain damage, 6 (15%); diplopia, 7 (17%); and death, 2 (5%). The majority of cases reviewed (83%) resulted in a verdict rather than settlement. The result of the verdict or settlement was 17 (41%) in favor of the plaintiff, 23 (56%) in favor of the defendant, and 1 (2%) unknown. The average award was 751,275 dollars, with a median of 410,239 dollars and a range of 61,000 dollars to 2,870,000 dollars. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to review malpractice litigation resulting from injuries sustained during ESS and shows a hitherto unexpected pattern between severity of injury and case outcome.