Obstructive sleep apnea, morbid obesity, and adenotonsillar surgery: a review of the literature.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is a common occurrence in the obese pediatric population. As this subgroup is rapidly expanding, these children will be increasingly encountered by the otolaryngologist in practice. The literature regarding the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in morbidly obese children is reviewed and pertinent data presented.