Tonsillectomy Demonstrates Positive Outcomes for Children with Sleep Apnea and Nighttime Bedwetting

Recent research has revealed that tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy procedures can significantly alleviate nocturnal enuresis (NE) in children diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A systematic review published in the European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology has highlighted that over half of the children who underwent these surgical interventions experienced remission from nighttime bedwetting.

The study, conducted by a team at the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command in Shenyang, China, aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of surgical treatments for NE among pediatric patients suffering from OSA. The review synthesized data from various studies, revealing that the overall remission rate for children treated with adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy was approximately 67%, with complete remission rates at about 57%.

In children specifically diagnosed with primary nocturnal enuresis, the findings indicated that the overall and complete remission rates were 67% and 59%, respectively. For those who underwent adenotonsillectomy, the overall remission rate rose to 72%, accompanied by a 65% rate of complete remission.

The analysis also pointed out that children older than five years exhibited similar outcomes, with overall and complete remission rates recorded at 67% and 58%, respectively. Notably, for patients followed up within three months post-surgery, the overall and complete remission rates were 64% and 52%. However, when examining randomized controlled trials, the pooled overall and complete remission rates were lower, at approximately 37.3%.

Researchers emphasized the need for cautious interpretation of these results, suggesting that the actual remission rates might be lower than the reported figures. They recommend further studies to validate these findings and to explore the long-term effectiveness of surgical interventions in this patient population.

This significant research underscores the potential benefits of surgical treatments for children suffering from both OSA and nocturnal enuresis, highlighting a pathway for improved quality of life for affected families.