[Sluder's adenotonsillectomy: with or without endotracheal intubation?].

Objective: To assess differences in results and complications of adenotonsillectomy according to Sluder in children anaesthesized with or without endotracheal intubation.

Design: Retrospective descriptive study.

Setting: Ear, Nose and Throat department, Academic Hospital Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

Method: The medical records were reviewed of 1011 children (511 non-intubated, before 1992, 500 intubated), and a questionnaire was sent to the parents regarding the postoperative period.

Results: The total proportion of postoperative haemorrhage was 4.35%; 5.1% in the non-intubated group, 3.6% in the intubated group (p > 0.05). In the intubated group there were more patients with postoperative fever (p < 0.01) but fewer with tonsillar remnants (p < 0.005). The procedure with intubation anesthesia took significantly more time (18 min versus 11 min).

Conclusion: In a training situation the intubated procedure is advised because of available time. This does not apply to experienced specialists, who may even have fewer complications.