An anesthetic management protocol to decrease respiratory complications after adenotonsillectomy in children with severe sleep apnea.

Background: A high incidence of respiratory morbidity after adenotonsillectomy is reported in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). In an effort to decrease this morbidity, we implemented perioperative guidelines recommending an adjustment in the administration of opioids, dexamethasone, and atropine in children with OSAS who demonstrated recurrent episodes of profound hypoxemia during the perioperative sleep study.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review and compared results with historic data from 2001.