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Pediatric Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy

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Anesthesiology

Abstract

Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy alone, and adenoidectomy alone are some of the most common surgeries performed in children. In 2006, there were approximately 530,000 pediatric tonsillectomies with or without adenoidectomy performed in the United States (Cullen et al. in Natl Health Stat Report 11:1–25, 2009 [1]). Indications for tonsillectomy include obstruction [including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)], infection (including chronic tonsillitis), and tonsil masses. Indications for adenoidectomy include nasal obstruction, Eustachian tube dysfunction, chronic sinusitis, and OSA. Though tonsillectomy is not as commonly performed for infectious indications as it once was, tonsillectomies performed for obstructive indications have increased. Mortality is 1 per 16,000 to 1 per 35,000 procedures. Anesthetic and surgical complications include respiratory depression, cardiac arrest, death, bleeding, burns, and airway fires. As tonsillectomy for OSA has increased, respiratory complications have received more attention. Ways to minimize the risk of perioperative respiratory complications in those with sleep apnea continue to be developed (Raafat et al. in A Practice of Anesthesia for Infants and Children. Elsevier Saunders, Philadelphia, 2013 [2]).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, 243 Charles Street, Suite 712, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Makara E. Cayer

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  1. Makara E. Cayer
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Correspondence to Makara E. Cayer .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Linda S. Aglio

  2. Institute for Safety in Ofiice Based Systems, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Lexington, Massachusetts, USA

    Richard D. Urman

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Cayer, M.E. (2017). Pediatric Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy. In: Aglio, L., Urman, R. (eds) Anesthesiology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-50141-3_38

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-50141-3_38

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