Postoperative respiratory complications and recovery in obese children following adenotonsillectomy for sleep-disordered breathing: a case-control study.

Objective: To compare postoperative respiratory complications in obese and nonobese children following surgery for sleep-disordered breathing.

Study Design: Case-control study.

Setting: Pediatric tertiary care center.

Subjects And Methods: All obese children who had undergone adenotonsillectomy for sleep-disordered breathing from 2002 to 2007 were compared with age- and gender-matched controls. Subjects were identified from a prospective surgical database. Length of hospital stay and the incidence, severity, and location of respiratory complications were compared. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify predictive factors.

Results: Forty-nine obese children were identified (20:29, female:male). There were no differences in mean age or type of surgical procedures (P > 0.05). Overall, 37 obese children (75.5%) and 13 controls (26.5%) incurred complications (P = 0.000, OR 8.54 [95% CI 3.44-21.19]). Ten obese patients and two controls incurred major events (P = 0.012, OR 6.03 [95% CI 1.25-29.15]); 36 obese children had minor complications versus 12 controls (P = 0.000, OR 8.54 (95% CI 3.44-21.19). Obese children had significantly more upper airway obstruction (19 vs 4, P = 0.0003, OR 7.13 [95% CI 2.20-23.03]), particularly during the immediate postoperative period. The mean hospital stay was significantly longer for the obese group (18 vs 8 hours, P = 0.000, mean difference of 10 hours [95% CI 2.01-17.99]). Male gender, tonsillectomy, and body mass index were significant predictive factors.

Conclusion: Obesity in children significantly increases the risk of respiratory complications following surgery for sleep-disordered breathing. Overnight hospitalization for obese children is recommended.