Hi, Looking for some opinions here. My 3 year old (well he will be next month), is going into hospital next week to have his T&As removed, again. The first op was last June, and it was successful-his breathing greatly improved. During a recewnt hospital visit my son was had a sleep study as he had just had a general anesthetic for an MRI scan and it was discovered that his O2 levels were dropping again. We have a SAts machine at home and we do spot checks when he is unwell. We knew he was still having apnea episodes but didnt realise his levels were dropping so much. They went below 88% 6 times in the first 20mins (machine turned on 40 mins after he fell asleep). Hospital not keen to let him go next day as this happened all night but eventually relented until they got MRI results (upper airway).
My son has always had complex breathing problems. He had an NP airway tube full time from 4 months old for a year until they removed his tonsils. He has very poor muscle tone, developmental delay and palate problems losely called Pierre Robin sequence. He is being presented at a British Genetics Consultants meeting next week as his genetisist believes he has a new condition.  He is very active and a grand wee lad! The respiratory team called us yesterday to tell us that his tonsills and adenoids were as prominent as before they were removed according to his MRI scans. We knew we could expect a degree of regrowth but not this. Has anyone else experienced this. We now have his O2 monitors on him at night and they alarm dropping below 90% about 2-3 times an hour then he could have a couple of quite hours and its off again. They would also like him to go back into hospital to be refitted for his NP airway to wear at night, the other alternative is CPAP but his Dr doesnt think he will tolerate that. I really dont think he will tolerate a 12cm tube going up his nose again! It was a lot easier when he was a baby-he is very strong willed. Sorry if I am rambling on but I just want to know if anyone has any advice or opinions.

Thanks.

Hi Taylor,

It sounds like you have a good team of doctors together and you should follow their advice.  Since his T&A-ectomies improved his breathing so much previously, there is no reason to expect less this time.  I suppose how much tonsils regrow is fairly individual.  Mine grew back a little, but like you noted, not nearly to the size they were previously.  You can have his docs show you his MRIs so you can see his tonsils for yourself if that would make you more comfortable with the surgery decision.

He sounds like a great little fella!  Keep us posted.

Vicki


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That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.