The roles of the anterior tonsillar pillar and previous tonsillectomy on sleep-disordered breathing

Abstract. We conducted a study to determine if there is a correlation between inadequate anterior tonsillar pillar support and sleep-disordered breathing. We examined 11 patients with a history of tonsillectomy to ascertain the structural and functional integrity of their anterior tonsillar pillars. All 11 demonstrated a loss of anterior pillar support and collapse of their soft palate to the extent that the soft palate passively pressed against the posterior pharyngeal wall.