In a systematic review, complications after adenotonsillectomy differed between children with and those without obstructive sleep apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) causes significant morbidity in children, including excessive daytime sleepiness and neurobehavioral and mood problems. Recently, OSA surpassed recurrent tonsillitis as the most common indication for adenotonsillectomy.
Researchers performed a systematic review to determine the most frequent early (within 3 weeks) complications after adenotonsillectomy and whether complications differ between patients with and without OSA. Twenty-three studies involving nearly 12,000 children (age range, 0–18 years) were eligible for analysis of frequency of complications, and of these, 4 studies involving about 800 children compared patients with and without OSA.
Besides pain, the most frequent complication was respiratory compr…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Award; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality National Center for Pediatric Practice Based Research Learning; Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Editorial BoardsCurrent Problems in Pediatric Adolescent Healthcare
Leadership Positions in Professional Societies College of Physicians of Philadelphia (Board of Trustees)
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Award; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality National Center for Pediatric Practice Based Research Learning; Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Editorial BoardsCurrent Problems in Pediatric Adolescent Healthcare
Leadership Positions in Professional Societies College of Physicians of Philadelphia (Board of Trustees)