Comparative outcomes of intracapsular and total tonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea in children with Trisomy 21.

Among 176 patients (mean age 5.9 years; 54.0% female), 109 underwent tonsillectomy and 67 intracapsular tonsillectomy.

Preoperative obstructive sleep apnea severity and tonsil size did not differ.

Improvements in AHI (53.4% tonsillectomy vs 53.1% intracapsular tonsillectomy, p = 1.00) and obstructive sleep apnea resolution (19.0% vs 21.9%, p = 0.787) were comparable.

No patient undergoing intracapsular tonsillectomy required completion tonsillectomy despite tonsillar regrowth being observed in 5 patients (7.5%), all of whom were managed conservatively.