Effects of tonsillectomy under general anaesthesia on articulatory characteristics and blood levels of PCT, GMP-140, and T lymphocyte subsets in children with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome

Objective To explore the effects of tonsillectomy under general anesthesia on articulatory characteristics and blood levels of procalcitonin (PCT), platelet membrane protein-140 (GMP-140), and T lymphocyte subsets in children with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Methods Forty-three children with OSAHS who underwent tonsillectomy under general anesthesia in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery of Xi’an Children’s Hospital, Shaanxi Province from June 2020 to March 2022 were randomly selected for the study. The children were evaluated for articulatory characteristics, blood levels of PCT, GMP-140, and T lymphocyte subsets, as well as sleep status before surgery and at 1 and 3 months after surgery. Results The longest duration of articulating /a/ was significantly prolonged and the second formant was significantly enhanced at 1 and 3 months after surgery (F=43.07,39.65,P<0.05). The longest duration of articulating /i/ was significantly prolonged and the fourth formant was significantly enhanced at 1 and 3 months after surgery (F=21.43,44.25,P<0.05). At 1 and 3 months after surgery, the blood levels of PCT, GMP-140, and CD8+ and apnea hypoventilation index were significantly reduced (F=29.67-112.86,P<0.05); the blood levels of CD3+, CD4+, and CD4+/CD8+, nocturnal lowest blood oxygen saturation, and Quebec Sleep Questionnaire scores were significantly increased (F=12.15-234.11,P<0.05). Conclusion Tonsillectomy under general anesthesia can significantly prolong the longest duration of articulating /a/ and /i/ in children with OSAHS, improve their articulatory characteristics, reduce the inflammatory response, improve the quality of sleep, and have a positive impact on the restoration of immune function.