The purpose of this study is to prospectively compare the effectiveness of a novel personalized approach to the surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children, drug induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) directed surgery versus the standard adenotonsillectomy (AT). This will also serve to test the feasibility of recruiting families for a future randomized protocol comparing the same surgical techniques. It is the investigators' central hypothesis that a personalized DISE-directed surgical approach that uses existing procedures to address the specific fixed and dynamic anatomic features causing obstruction (ie, anatomic endotypes) in each child with small tonsils or Down syndrome will be superior to the currently recommended standard first line approach of AT. This novel approach may improve OSA outcomes and reduce the burden of unnecessary AT or secondary surgery for persistent OSA after an ineffective AT. To test this hypothesis, the investigators will study children aged 2 to 18 years with clinically small tonsils (Brodsky score 1+ or 2+ on a scale 1+ to 4+) OR Down syndrome.
Age range
2 Years – 18 Years
Sex
ALL
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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Change in Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL), a generic quality of life scale
Timeframe: 6 months post-surgery
Parent-reported ease of participation
Timeframe: 6 months post-surgery
Parent-reported barriers to recruitment
Timeframe: Initial visit
Change in Obstructive Sleep Apnea -18 (OSA-18): disease-specific quality of life survey
Timeframe: 6 months post-surgery
Parent-reported barriers to recruitment
Timeframe: 6 months post-surgery