RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of anaesthetic risks in children having Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS), undergoing adenotonsillectomy. STUDY DESIGN: A case-control study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Anaesthesiology, Armed Forces Hospital, Najran, Saudi Arabia from November 2006 to January 2008. METHODOLOGY: The study was carried out in 60 children scheduled to undergo adenotonsillectomy and divided into two equal groups of 30 each. Group-1 had obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and group-2 had children without it. Both groups were given a standard general anaesthesia and frequency and rate of complications and medical interventions taken in such children were studied. P-value and odds ratio were determined. RESULTS: The age ranged from 3 to 10 years. The frequency of difficult intubation was higher in the group-1 than in the control group (16.6 vs. 3.3%, odds ratio 5.8). At the time of induction of anaesthesia desaturation was higher in group-1 (33.3 vs. 6.6%, p=0.021, odds ratio 7). At the time of extubation, desaturation was significantly higher in group-1 (43.3 vs. 6.6%, p=0.002, odds ratio 10.70). The complications at extubation, for example cough, laryngospasm and postoperative nausea and vomiting were higher in group-1 but not statistically significant. In the postanaesthesia care unit, the frequency of complications and medical interventions were also higher in group-1. More patients of group-1 required oxygen (63.3 vs. 10%, p < 0.001, odds ratio 15.54) and insertion of an oropharyngeal airway (20% vs. nil, p=0.023) respectively. CONCLUSION: Children with OSAS, operated for adenotonsillectomy, are at significant risk of certain life-threatening perioperative anaesthetic complications. These results may be used as a guideline for safe and successful anaesthetic management of these children.