Every year, thousands of children have their tonsils and adenoids removed to relieve mild sleep apnea, a condition in which the patient stops breathing for short periods of time while asleep.
Sleep apnea can cause hyperactivity, daytime sleepiness and insomnia.
One question for surgeons has been whether the child needs the intensive care unit after the operation to monitor for airway obstruction and bleeding. Johns Hopkins Children's Center researchers have developed new information that make the decision easier. Anesthesiologist Dr. Mark Helfaer lead the study. In the past, insurance companies have reduced the rate of reimbursement for ICU care because it is so expensive. This information lets us say which children can safely go to the floor and therefore not incur a large ICU bill.