['Post-operative respiratory adverse events (AE) are frequent in children having adenotonsillectomy (AT) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Many hospitals have a policy of routine admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) after surgery for children at highest risk. We aimed to determine the frequency and severity of post-operative AE in children admitted to ICU, to assess the appropriateness of this care plan.', 'A retrospective chart review was carried out all children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit after AT for OSA from January 2007 to December 2009. AE were classified as mild, including requirement for supplemental O2 or repositioning to improve airway or severe, including bag and mask ventilation, CPAP, re-intubation, placement of oropharyngeal airway or unplanned ICU admission for airway compromise.', '72 children were identified (21 female, median age 2.8 years). There were 29 AE in 26 patients (36%), including 23 (31.9%) who suffered a mild AE and 6 (8.3%) who had a severe AE. Age, sex, the presence of co-morbidity or the presence of severe OSA did not predict severe AE in this group. Median time to first AE was 165min. Four of the six severe AE occurred in the post-anesthetic care unit (PACU). There were 60 children who did not have an AE in PACU, of whom 59 did not have a severe AE in the post-operative period, giving a negative predictive value for no worse than a mild AE following an uncomplicated course in PACU of 98.3%.'] Is routine post-operative intensive care necessary for children with obstructive sleep apnea at high risk after adenotonsillectomy?