Abstract: Objective To explore the causes of complications after low-temperature coblation surgery in children with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS), and to summarize the treatment and outcome of these complications. Methods The subjects were 3 106 patients with OSAHS who underwent low-temperature coblation adenoidectomy with or without tonsillectomy under general anesthesia in our department, between October 2007 and June 2017. We counted the number of patients with postoperative complications including postoperative bleeding, fever, perforation of palatopharyngeal arch, and nasal reflux, and analyzed the causes of complications. Results The postoperative bleeding rate was 2.44%(76/3 106). Twelve patients underwent reoperation for hemostasis under general anesthesia, 2 patients were sent to the pediatric intensive care unit, 1 required transfusion because of excessive blood loss, and another experienced choking during anesthesia. Forty-four patients showed fever in the week after the operation, with body temperatures higher than 38.5 ℃, but the temperatures were reduced to normal after symptomatic treatment. Pharyngopalatine arch perforation occurred in 5 cases, of which 3 were self-healing. One patient experienced nasal cavity reflux when eating because of a palatine fistula after the operation; this patient was healed after conservative treatment. Conclusion The complication rate for low-temperature coblation surgery is low in children with OSAHS, but if not handled properly, complications can cause serious, and even life-threatening, consequences. Therefore, we should try to prevent complications, to deal with them in a timely manner, and to minimize the damage they cause.

Key words: Sleep apnea, obstructive, Coblation, Complication, Children