Complications of adenotonsillectomy revisited in a large pediatric case series.
OBJECTIVE
To document the most important postoperative adenotonsillectomy morbidities, with an emphasis on prolonged hospitalization and readmissions.


METHODS
Retrospective chart analysis.


METHODS
We reviewed 2067 cases of adenotonsillectomies performed at our institution over a period of 6 years.


RESULTS
Of these cases, 1927 patients had undergone tonsillectomy by electrocautery and adenoidectomy by suction-coagulator, of whom 9.3% required admission. The incidence of admissions owing to bleeding was 1.7%, whereas admissions owing to respiratory and gastrointestinal complications represented 3.7% and 5.2%, respectively. Compared with the literature and our institution's previous results, these morbidity values were found to be either comparable or significantly lower (p < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
We attribute this improvement to our use of electrocautery-based techniques not only for tonsillectomy but also for adenoidectomy.
Abou-Jaoude
Peter M
PM
Department of Otolaryngology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec.
Manoukian
John J
JJ
Daniel
Sam J
SJ
Balys
Richard
R
Abou-Chacra
Zahi
Z
Nader
Marc-Elie
ME
Tewfik
Ted L
TL
Schloss
Melvin D
MD
D000233:Adenoidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D000293:Adolescent; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D010359:Patient Readmission; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods