Use of Sleep Endoscopy to Predict Outcomes of Pediatric Adenotonsillectomy

Sleep endoscopy will be performed prior to the adenotonsillectomy, under the same general anesthetic. The endoscopy will be performed using a flexible fiber optic endoscope which will be advanced trans nasally into the pharynx down to the level of the hypopharynx. We will take note of any obvious septal deviation or nasal obstruction as well as adenoid hypertrophy, and dynamic collapse at the level of the velum, oropharynx/lateral walls, tongue base, epiglottis, and supraglottis. Relatively fixed structures such as the nasal airway and adenoids should require 1 minute to fully assess. The endoscope will then be held for 2 minutes of observation above each subsequent site of potential dynamic airway collapse (the velum, oropharynx/lateral walls, tongue base, epiglottis/supraglottis).