No abstract

BackgroundObstructive sleep-disordered breathing (oSDB) is a condition encompassing breathing problems when asleep due to upper airway obstruction. In children, hypertrophy of the tonsils and/or adenoids is thought to be the commonest cause. As such, (adeno)tonsillectomy has long been the treatment of choice. A rise in partial removal of the tonsils over the last decade is due to the hypothesis that tonsillotomy is associated with lower postoperative morbidity and fewer complications. ObjectivesTo assess whether partial removal of the tonsils (intracapsular tonsillotomy) is as e ective as total removal of the tonsils (extracapsular tonsillectomy) in relieving signs and symptoms of oSDB in children, and has lower postoperative morbidity and fewer complications.

There is an overall high prevalence of active long-term issues in adolescents and young adults with anorectal malformations. Additional multicenter research is needed to define characteristics and predictors of long-term outcome, to implement effective follow-up, and to transition to adult health care.