Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

CO2-Lasertonsillotomy Under Local Anesthesia in Adults
05:07

CO2-Lasertonsillotomy Under Local Anesthesia in Adults

Published on: November 6, 2019

Anaesthetic risks in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome undergoing adenotonsillectomy

Azmat Riaz1, Hamid Saeed Malik, Nadeem Fazal

  • 1Department of Anaesthesiology, Armed Forces Hospital, Najran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. azmatrt@yahoo.com

Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan : JCPSP
|February 12, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) undergoing adenotonsillectomy face increased anesthetic risks. This includes higher rates of difficult intubation and desaturation, necessitating careful perioperative management.

Area of Science:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) is a growing concern in pediatric populations.
  • Adenotonsillectomy is a common surgical procedure for children with OSAS.
  • Anesthetic risks in children with OSAS require thorough investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the frequency of anesthetic risks in children with OSAS undergoing adenotonsillectomy.
  • To compare anesthetic complications between children with and without OSAS.
  • To provide guidelines for safe anesthetic management in this patient group.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 60 children undergoing adenotonsillectomy.
  • Two equal groups: 30 with OSAS and 30 without (control).
  • Standard general anesthesia administered; complications and interventions were recorded and analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Children with OSAS had significantly higher rates of difficult intubation (16.6% vs. 3.3%) and desaturation during induction (33.3% vs. 6.6%) and extubation (43.3% vs. 6.6%).
  • Increased need for oxygen (63.3% vs. 10%) and oropharyngeal airway insertion (20% vs. 0%) in the OSAS group.
  • Higher, though not always statistically significant, rates of cough, laryngospasm, and postoperative nausea and vomiting in children with OSAS.

Conclusions:

  • Children with OSAS undergoing adenotonsillectomy are at significant risk for life-threatening perioperative anesthetic complications.
  • Anesthetic management for these children requires heightened vigilance and specific protocols.
  • Findings can serve as a guideline for optimizing anesthetic care in pediatric OSAS patients.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea07:54

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Published on: December 6, 2016

Guidelines for Elective Pediatric Fiberoptic Intubation11:19

Guidelines for Elective Pediatric Fiberoptic Intubation

Published on: January 17, 2011

Related Concept Videos

General Anesthesia: Overview01:24

General Anesthesia: Overview

Anesthesia is a medical procedure that uses drugs for CNS suppression to enable painless surgeries and procedures. The selection of anesthetics is influenced by their pharmacokinetic properties, side effects, and patient characteristics. Various types of anesthesia include general, local, regional, spinal, and inhalational.
General anesthesia induces unconsciousness in the whole body, while the others target specific areas or sensations. It is administered to minimize adverse effects, maintain...
Tonsillitis II: Management01:26

Tonsillitis II: Management

This lesson will focus on the different treatment options for managing tonsillitis, which typically depend on the cause and severity.
Tonsillitis I: Introduction01:30

Tonsillitis I: Introduction

Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, which are two lymphoid tissue masses at the back of the throat. This condition can cause discomfort and irritation in the throat.
Etiology
Three primary contributing factors have been identified.
Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway01:29

Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway

Nasopharyngeal suctioning is a procedure to remove secretions from the upper part of the respiratory tract that the patient cannot clear independently. It helps maintain airway patency and prevents complications such as aspiration pneumonia.
Equipment Required
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview01:24

Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview

Intravenous anesthetics are drugs administered parenterally to induce anesthesia or sedation. Propofol is a widely used agent formulated as a 1% emulsion in soybean oil, glycerol, and egg phosphatide. It induces rapid anesthesia primarily due to its rapid distribution from the bloodstream to target tissues and is metabolized in the liver. However, it can cause significant pain on injection and hypertriglyceridemia. Fospropofol, a water-based prodrug of propofol, lacks these adverse effects.
Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview01:20

Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview

Inhalation anesthetics are drugs that induce general anesthesia upon inhalation. They work by increasing the sensitivity of GABAA receptors or inhibiting NMDA receptors, leading to a decrease in central nervous system activity. The depth of anesthesia can be rapidly adjusted by changing the concentration of the inhaled gas. Some common examples of inhalational anesthetics include volatile liquids like isoflurane, desflurane, sevoflurane and gases like xenon and nitrous oxide. Isoflurane, a...