Changes in Acoustic Pharyngometric Indices After Adenotonsillectomy in Children

Background and Objective This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of acoustic pharyngometry by examining the data before and after adenotonsillectomy in children with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Methods This prospective, observational study included 29 children (M/F = 17/12, age = 8.69 ± 2.52 years) with SDB who underwent acoustic pharyngometry before and after adenotonsillectomy. Pre- and postoperative acoustic pharyngometry data, such as the oropharyngeal junction area (OPJ), pharyngeal volume (Vp), glottic area (GL), maximal pharyngeal cross-sectional area (Apmax), minimal pharyngeal cross-sectional area (Apmin), and mean pharyngeal cross-sectional area (Apmean), were compared. Results Before surgery, Apmean was measured at 1.75 ± 0.81 cm2 and increased to 2.24 ± 0.89 cm2 after surgery (p < 0.001); this difference was statistically significant. Moreover, OPJ demonstrated statistically significant changes from 1.03 ± 0.62 cm2 to 1.53 ± 0.77 cm2 (p < 0.001); Apmin measured from 0.99 ± 0.51 cm2 to 1.38 ± 0.69 cm2 (p = 0.003); and Vp increased from 14.45 ± 7.05 cm3 to 18.89 ± 7.72 cm3 (p < 0.001) after surgical treatment. Conclusions Acoustic pharyngometry, a non-invasive and reproducible method, effectively reflects upper airway changes before and after adenotonsillectomy in children with SDB and ATH. This underscores its potential as a valuable tool for objectively evaluating upper airway obstruction caused by ATH in children.