Gastroesophageal reflux with children requiring adenotonsillectomy.

BACKGROUND

Our aim is to determine the incidence of reflux in children older than 3 years requiring adenotonsillectomy and relationship between GER and diagnostic tests.

METHODS

Forty-four patients, who were listed for adenoidectomy/tonsillectomy at Pediatric Ear Nose Throat department due to severe hypertrophy, were evaluated for accompanying GER (Group 1). GER was diagnosed as having at least one positive GER test result (including esophagitis or pH monitoring). Twenty children without reflux symptoms were used as healthy control group (Group 2) and LPR was held.

RESULTS

Reflux was detected in 32 children requiring adenotonsillectomy (72.7%). LPR score was negative in all patients in Group 2. There was no correlation between pH monitoring and histopathological evaluation of esophagus. There was a correlation between the LPR score and histological esophagitis in the proximal esophagus.

CONCLUSIONS

GER was high in patients with adenotonsillary hypertrophy. LPR score and the history of patients are as effective as invasive techniques like pH monitorization and endoscopy in determining GER disease.