Inflammatory markers after adenotonsillectomy and adenotonsillotomy in children

In recent years the choice ofsurgical interventions on the pharyngeal lymphoepithelial ring has followed the path ofrejecting excessive radicalism. This is especially important when treating children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The aim of the study was to compare changes in the content of inflammatory markers in saliva after adenotonsillotomy and adenotonsillectomy in children. Material and methods. The study included 28 children who underwent surgery for lymphatic ring of the pharynx. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 included 14 children who underwent adenotonsillotomy, group 2 — 14 children who underwent adenotonsillectomy. The content of the studied cytokines (tumor necrosis factor, interleukins 1 and 6) was determined in saliva by enzyme immunoassay before surgery and 48 hours after the operation. Results. The content of IL-6 in saliva after surgery significantly increases regardless the type of procedures, but this increase is significantly more pronounced in children after adenotonsillectomy. Conclusion. Changes in the content of the pro-inflammatory cytokine Il-6 in saliva indicate that adenotonsillotomy is a less invasive surgical procedure than adenotonsillectomy.