title: [Post-tonsillectomy hyponatremia: a posible lethal complication].
abstract: Death following tonsillectomy in children is very rare. It is most commonly due to bleeding or aspiration. But, there is another potentially lethal complication following the pediatric tonsillectomy, post-surgical hyponatremia. Acute hyponatremia can lead to catastrophic neurological sequelae. Although this cmplication is not related to the surgical technique, it is potentially life-threatening. The most important factor for hospital acquired hyponatremia is the administration of excessive amounts of hypotonic fluid in situations in wich antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is secreted for non osmotic reasons. We will discuss the etiology and pathophysiology of post-operative hyponatremia. We expect that fatal post-operative hyponatremia can be avoided in pediatric tonsillectomy patients.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Francesc de Borja de Gandía, Valencia.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Agut Fuster
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: del Campo Biosca
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferrer Rodríguez
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Ramos Martínez
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Viel Martínez
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Agulles Fornés
mesh_terms: D002423:Cause of Death; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*