Reduced nasal resistance after simple tonsillectomy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of simple tonsillectomy on nasal resistance in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Methods: Conventional tonsillectomy was performed in 20 patients who were refractory to treatment with continuous positive airway pressure. The subjects consisted of 17 men and 3 women (mean age, 32.9 +/- 6.3 years). The effects of tonsillectomy were evaluated with preoperative and postoperative polysomnography and nasal resistance. Results: After tonsillectomy, nasal resistance decreased significantly from 0.39 +/- 0.30 Pa/cm(3) per second to 0.27 +/- 0.16 Pa/cm(3) per second (p < 0.05). Simultaneously, the apnea-hypopnea index decreased significantly from 55.7 +/- 22.5 to 21.2 +/- 14.2 (p < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between tonsillar weight and percentage of change in bilateral nasal resistance (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The reduction in nasal resistance induced by simple tonsillectomy could play an important role in improving OSAS, as does nasal surgery or adenotomy.