Question: A 2 year old boy is evaluated for sleep disordered breathing. AHI is 6 per hour. Sleep state endoscopy is performed that shows 3+ tonsils, a moderately enlarged adenoid pad, and marked lingual tonsillar hypertrophy. You propose adenotonsillectomy as a first step to correction of the child’s obstructive sleep apnea. The patient’s mother asks why the lingual tonsil is not addressed at the same time. What is the risk of simultaneous lingual and palatine tonsillectomy?

A) 20% increased bleeding rate

B) Higher likelihood of airway compromise postoperatively

C) Postoperative pharyngeal stenosis

D) None, you should modify your surgical plan accordingly

[Answer will be posted with next week's new question]

Answer to last week's question, “What Goes In Must Come Out" (October 14, 2019)

D - Torcula.