Risk Stratification of Post Tonsillectomy Respiratory Complications in the Pediatric Population

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is the most common indication for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy in young children. According to previous studies, as much as 8 to 20% of patients will develop post operative respiratory complications requiring medical intervention. The pre-operative risk factors that could predict respiratory complications retrospectively analyzed were young age, obesity and high preoperative apnea-hypopnea index. Despite the removal of obstructing lymphoid tissue, upper airway obstruction occurs on the first postoperative night in children with OSA. There is a debate regarding the post-operative duration and monitoring needed in children with OSA. Hypothesis: Pre-operative, operative and immediate post-operative parameters could predict post tonsillectomy respiratory complications.