[Long-term persistence of obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome in children treated with adenotonsillectomy. Analysis of prognostic factors]. / Persistencia a largo plazo del síndrome de la apnea-hipopnea obstructiva del sueño infantil tratada con adenoamigdalectomía. Análisis de factores pronósticos.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome in children with adenotonsillectomy is effective but has a moderate rate of persistent disease. OBJECTIVES: To analyse the rate of persistence of sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome in a group of adenotonsillectomy-treated paediatric patients and to assess the possible prognostic factors. METHODS: Prospective study of 80 patients aged between 2 and 13 years who had obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome, treated with adenotonsillectomy. All patients had been followed up clinically and by polysomnography for 1 year after surgery. We analysed the epidemiological and clinical factors that could negatively affect the outcome of surgery. RESULTS: The median age was 5.25 ± 2.05 years and the mean apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) was 8.13 ± 6.06. One year after surgery, all clinical parameters improved significantly and the mean AHI was 2.50. Persistent disease (AHI≥3) was present in 21 of the patients (26.3%). The comparative analysis of clinical and epidemiological factors between the group of non-persistence and persistence did not obtain statistically-significant differences in age, sex, tonsillar size, Friedman degree or severity of preoperative disease. The only significant factor was that patients without persistence were more obese. CONCLUSION: The results of our study about the persistence of obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome after adenotonsillectomy are significant enough to recommend follow-up with polysomnography, especially in high-risk groups. In the series presented here, we were not able to demonstrate these risk factors. Our results are probably conditioned by the characteristics of the population studied: Low age, low obesity rate and less severe levels of apnoea-hypopnoea index.

[Continuous positive airway pressure treatment in sleep-related respiratory disorders in children]. / Tratamiento con presión positiva continua en los trastornos respiratorios del sueño en los niños.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the first choice in the treatment of apnea-hypopnea syndrome in adults and, in recent years, is considered the second option after surgery in children. CPAP is the best option in children if apnea-hypopnea syndrome persists after surgery. For many professionals in the field, the use of CPAP in all ages of children and adolescents is safe, effective and well tolerated. Follow-up visits are required every 6-12 months, since the mask pressure and size requirements will change depending on children's growth and development. The success of the use of CPAP is closely related to children's tolerance of the CPAP mask. Many professionals have described strategies to improve this tolerance. One of these strategies is to use behavioral therapy, which has been shown be effective in increasing tolerance and performance of the CPAP.