B||D)| E|| htaedren 's F G H ealth Child’s Snoring A Wake Up Call For Parents (NAPSA)—The American Academy of Pediatrics estimates that 10 percent of children are habitual snorers. A little-knownfact to parents, snoring can be an indication of a serious sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is often caused by tonsils that are too large for a child’s airway. A tonsillectomy procedure can easily remedy the sleep problem, and, thanks to new technology, kids can get back to their normal diets and routines quickly. Typically associated with obese adults, OSA has been gaining recognition as a significant sleep problem in children. By causing children to stop breathing and gasp for air repeatedly during sleep, OSA can cause long-term health problems and can have a negative and harmful effect on a child’s cognition, school performance, mood and behavior. “Tonsillectomy is the surgical procedure of choice for children who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea caused by enlarged tonsils,” said Dr. Edward Reardon, an oto- laryngologist who is a clinical instructor of otology and laryngology at Harvard Medical School. “And for parents worried about pain and a long recovery period, a tonsillectomy using new Coblation technology can cut a child’s recovery timein half.” Tonsillectomy remained virtually unchanged for 40 years until FDA clearance of Coblation’s use in tonsillectomies in 2001, a less- e the solution for many children’s nighttime breathing problems. invasive alternative to conven- tional electrocautery tonsillectomy. Coblation applies bipolar radiofrequency (bRF) energy to a conductive solution, such as saline, to create a relatively cool (40 to 70 Centigrade) plasma field, which virtually dissolves tonsil tissue and preserves healthy surrounding tissue. Electrocautery uses high temperatures (300 to 400 Centigrade) to removetissue, burning and charring surrounding tissue, resulting in increased postop pain and prolonged recovery. To learn more about this new tonsillectomy procedure, or to find a local otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat surgeon) who uses Coblation, visit www.coblation.com.
