Pediatric adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea.

Forty-four children who underwent adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) were studied. The diagnosis was confirmed polysomnographically. Patients with other medical problems or complications of OSA were excluded. The overall complication rate was 32%. Significant airway complications occurred in 16%. Factors associated with development of statistically significant airway complications were acute airway compromise, age < 3 years, thin body habitus, and both oxygen (O2) desaturation and carbon dioxide (CO2) retention seen polysomnographically. Although many OSA patients can safely have outpatient adenotonsillectomy, perioperative monitoring of patients with these risk factors is needed.