Camila Hurtado, Zachary Elwell, C. Carrie Liu, and Angela Murrell, Health Sciences Library Associate Librarian and Liaison to the College of Medicine-Tucson, co-authored Tonsillectomy Complication Rates Are Comparable Among 2- and 3-Year-Old Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate whether children between the ages of 2 and 3 are at higher risk of immediate posttonsillectomy complications and, therefore, require routine overnight observation.

The review was published on March 30, 2026 by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, which publishes contemporary, ethical, clinically relevant information in otolaryngology, head and neck surgery (ear, nose, throat, head, and neck disorders) that can be used by otolaryngologists, clinicians, scientists, and specialists to improve patient care and public health.

Tonsillectomy, with or without adenoidectomy (AT), is one of the most common pediatric otolaryngological surgeries, with over 550,000 reported annually in the United States. Postoperative complications range from 0.6% to 12.5%, with the most frequent being respiratory compromise, bleeding, and infection. Higher rates of complications have been reported in children under 3 years of age. As such, the most recent American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO) clinical practice guidelines for tonsillectomy in children recommend overnight admission for children under 3 years of age. Read full review.

This study found: Children between 2 and 3 years old have comparable rates of postoperative complications compared to children over 3 years old. As such, ambulatory adenotonsillectomy is likely safe in this age group.