Mortality following adenotonsillectomy in a patient with Williams-Campbell syndrome

D. J. Kirse, A. F. Tryka, R. W. Seibert and C. M. Bower
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Arkansas Children's Hospital, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, USA.

Adenotonsillectomy is a commonly performed procedure that can greatly change airway pressure in patients with obstructive sleep patterns related to enlarged tonsils and adenoids. A case is presented in which a patient with a rare subclinical form of Williams-Campbell syndrome died after outpatient adenotonsillectomy. This case report illustrates how patients with structural abnormalities of the tracheobronchial tree can be at increased risk for complications when undergoing surgical procedures that impact airway dynamics.