The two most important diagnostic tools for this are the office fiberoptic laryngoscopy and sleep endoscopy. The latter is done under a light general anesthesia where the child is spontaneously breathing in a recumbent position.
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January 2007What is seen is a large pad of lingual tonsil along with glossoptosis, forcing the epiglottis up against the posterior pharyngeal wall. The indications for lingual tonsillectomy would include a high RDI and oxygen desaturations and a dynamic confirmation of LTH.
The only tool that I’ve found that’s consistently effective for this is the coblator, Dr. Koltai said. The volume of the tongue can be effectively reduced with no bleeding. RDI is improved with the operation, but it’s hard to get it under 5.
©2007 The Triological Society
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