SK Ng, MCF Tong

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is a result of periodic partial or total collapse of the pharynx during sleep. In children, this is usually due to adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Adenotonsillectomy is usually very effective although controversy exists on the feasibility and importance of routine preoperative polysomnogram (PSG). Apart from adenotonsillectomy, ENT surgeons can also treat nasal obstruction which may be important for certain patients. For those OSAS secondary to craniofacial malformations, it is usually necessary to perform tracheostomy until definitive corrective craniofacial surgery can be performed.