Surgery to Remove Tonsils and Adenoids for Sleep Breathing Problems in Children

Plain-English translation of NCT07332780 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated May 2026 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing whether adenotonsillectomy (surgery to remove the tonsils and adenoids) can prevent or reduce spine curvature in children with mild sleep-disordered breathing. Researchers believe that disrupted breathing during sleep may contribute to scoliosis, and they want to see if fixing the breathing problem early might help the spine develop more normally.

Sleep-disordered breathing is very common in children with scoliosis, but doctors don't yet know if the breathing problem causes the spine curvature or if fixing the breathing could prevent it from getting worse. This trial aims to answer that important question.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are between 6 and 15 years old
you have been diagnosed with mild sleep-disordered breathing based on a sleep study and symptoms like snoring or witnessed pauses in breathing occurring more than 3 nights per week
you have enlarged tonsils and your doctor has determined you are a good candidate for surgery
you have had X-rays of your spine showing a spinal curve less than 40 degrees
your bones are still growing (not fully mature)

You likely don't qualify if…

you have had your tonsils or adenoids removed before
you have severe sleep apnea requiring immediate breathing support
you have a genetic, neurological, or other condition that causes spinal curvature
you have a bleeding disorder, sickle cell disease, or other severe chronic conditions that could affect the study results
you are severely obese or plan to move away from the study area within 2 years

What participation looks like

If you enroll, you will be randomly placed into one of two groups: one group will have tonsil and adenoid surgery within 4 weeks, while the other group will be closely monitored by a doctor for 12 months and then reassessed to see if surgery is needed. Both groups will have regular clinic visits, sleep studies, and spine X-rays over approximately 2 years to track how the spine changes.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 23, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

China

The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University,, Wenzhou, Zhejiang