Abstract: Objective: To investigate the status and risk factors of the adverse airway events in pediatric patients in Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), and to improve the safety and quality of post anesthesia care. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the incidence and clinical manifestations of respiratory adverse events in 16 012 children transferred to PACU after general anesthesia from September 1st, 2021 to August 31st, 2022. Chi-Square analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to find the risk factors of adverse airway events in this population. Results: The overall incidence of airway adverse events was 0.6%, and atelectasis was the most common cause. After treatment, 93.3% of the children could recover without the need to improve the postoperative care level, while 6.7% of the children couldn't wean from ventilation and were unexpectedly transferred to the Intensive Care Unit. The incidence of adverse airway events in children with American Association of Anesthesiologists grade ≥Ⅲ, age ≤28 days, and thoracic surgery was significantly higher. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that the latter two were risk factors. Conclusion: The incidence of adverse airway events in pediatric patients in PACU is relatively high. Special attention should be given to the children with high risks.

Key words: pediatric anesthesia; Post-Anesthesia Care Unit; adverse airway event; risk factor; anesthesia nursing care