SWALLOWING, SPEECH AND OROFACIAL DISORDERS IN CHILDREN WITH ADENOTONSILLAR HYPERTROPHY

A prospective observational study was conducted to evaluate the presence of swallowing, speech and orofacial muscle imbalance (OMI) disorders in patients with adenotonsillar hypertrophy and their regression after surgery. ENT, speech therapist and dentistry examination were conducted before and 12 months after surgery in 78 children between the ages of 2 and 12 with dysphagia, speech disorders and OMI adenotonsillar hypertrophy related with sleep-disordered breathing. Of the 78 patients enrolled, 62 underwent adenotonsillectomy, 9 adenoidectomy and 7 volume reduction of the palatine tonsils with a 12-month post-operative increase in SWAL-QOL score, weight gain, correction of ogival palate, dental crowding and tongue posture and consequent resolution of phono-articulatory disorders. All patients show an improvement in swallowing, phono -articulatory disorders’ symptoms and OMI correction at 12-month evaluation.