The Effect of Tonsillectomy Alone in Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine the effect of tonsillectomy as a single procedure in the treatment of adult obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).Study DesignProspective multi-institutional study evaluating adults with tonsillar hypertrophy scheduled to undergo tonsillectomy as an isolated surgery.SettingTertiary care medical centers within the US Department of Defense.Subjects and MethodsAdult subjects with tonsillar hypertrophy who were already scheduled for tonsillectomy were enrolled from October 2010 to July 2013. Subjects underwent physical examination, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Berlin Questionnaire, and polysomnogram before surgery and after. Collected data included demographics, questionnaire scores, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), and lowest saturation of oxygen.ResultsA total of 202 consecutive subjects undergoing tonsillectomy were enrolled. The final analysis included 19 subjects testing positive for OSA. The mean age was 27.9 years; mean body mass index, 29.6; median tonsil size, 3; a...