Surgical Techniques for Tonsillectomy and Perioperative Respiratory Complications in Children

Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of perioperative respiratory complications in children following tonsillectomy with cold and hot dissection surgical techniques. Study Design The study was a retrospective cohort study. Setting Retrospective chart review was performed for all children presenting for a tonsillectomy at Texas Children's Hospital from November 2015 to December 2017. Methods Pre- and intraoperative patient factors, including surgical technique with cold or hot dissection (electrocautery or radiofrequency ablation), and perioperative anesthetic factors were collected to determine the incidence of perioperative respiratory complications. Results A total of 2437 patients underwent a tonsillectomy at Texas Children's Hospital from November 2015 to December 2017. The incidence of perioperative respiratory complications was 20.0% (n = 487). Sickle cell disease, cardiac disease, reactive airway disease, pulmonary disease, age >2 and <3 years, and obesity, defined as a body mass index >95th percentile for age, were significant for overall perioperative respiratory complications. There was no difference in the incidence of perioperative respiratory complications in children undergoing tonsillectomy by cold or hot dissection. Conclusion Perioperative respiratory complications following tonsillectomy are more affected by patient factors than surgical technique.