title: Complications of adenotonsillectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the immediate, short-term, and long-term complications of adenotonsillectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Complications of adenotonsillectomy and methods for preventing and treating them were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most common complications of adenotonsillectomy, such as bleeding, generally occur in the immediate perioperative period but can develop up to 2 weeks postoperatively. Long-term complications, such as nasopharyngeal stenosis, may appear months to years after surgery. These more unusual sequelae result from scar contracture and maturation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although rare, complications associated with adenotonsillectomy can be taxing for patients and health care resources. The most common complications, namely, anesthesia risks, pain, otalgia, and bleeding, should be discussed with patients' caregivers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA. john85@chmcc.org
authors.forename: Liane B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Ravindhra G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Elluru
authors.forename: Charles M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Myer
mesh_terms: D000233:Adenoidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods