BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of low-temperature plasma-assisted bilateral or unilateral
tonsillectomy (LTPABT or LTPAUT) and
adenoidectomy in treatment of children with
obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (
OSAHS). MATERIAL AND METHODS The present observational cohort study included a total of 244 children with
OSAHS during December 2017 to December 2018. The patients were divided into the LTPABT group, the LTPAUT group, and the control group that received traditional bilateral
tonsillectomy and
adenoidectomy. The
apnea hypopnea index (AHI) and the lowest oxygen saturation (LSaO2) were measured. The patients'
pain condition was determined using the Visual Analog Score (VAS) and intraoperative indices were collected. Patients' quality of life was assessed by OSA-18 scale and patients' immune function was determined. RESULTS The postoperative VAS scores were remarkably lower in the LTPABT and LTPAUT groups. At 6 months after surgery, the AHI significantly had decreased and LSaO2 levels were significantly enhanced for all groups, and the AHI was significantly lower and LSaO2 was markedly higher in the LTPABT group. The ratio of patients with efficacy of cured and remarkably effective was remarkably higher in the LTPABT group. The rates of
postoperative hemorrhage and
infection were significantly lower in the LTPABT and LTPAUT groups, and 4 cases showed tonsillar
hyperplasia. OSA-18 scores were lowest in the LTPABT group. No significant difference was found in levels of
IgM,
IgA and
IgG, and T lymphocyte subtypes. CONCLUSIONS The low-temperature plasma-assisted bilateral
tonsillectomy combined with
adenoidectomy had the best efficacy. None of the surgery methods influenced the patients' immune function.