Criteria for elective admission to the paediatric intensive care unit following adenotonsillectomy for severe obstructive sleep apnoea.

During the period 1997 to 2002, 42 children were electively admitted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at the John Hunter Children's Hospital following adenotonsillectomy for severe obstructive sleep apnoea. Forty children had a preoperative sleep study, of which 33 were complete polysomnograms. Of the 42 children admitted, 35 required no intervention while seven (17%) required an additional intervention beyond supplemental oxygen. Our criteria for elective admission to Paediatric Intensive Care following adenotonsillectomy for severe obstructive sleep apnoea are presented.