Complete Airway Obstruction After Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy

“The SpO₂ fell to less than 50%, the heart rate was less than 40 beats per minute, and the patient was cyanotic. The anesthesia provider requested the code cart.”

Case Context    Provider Narrative   Contributing Factors    Lessons Learned

Case Context

Patient: young adult male
Presenting diagnosis: chronic tonsillitis, snoring
Planned procedure: tonsillectomy & adenoidectomy
Past medical history: none
Other pertinent details: none provided
Anesthetic plan: general endotracheal anesthesia