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Airway and respiratory complications in children undergoing cleft lip and palate repair

I Desalu1, Wl Adeyemo, Mo Akintimoye

  • 1Department of Anaesthesia, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, P.M.B 12003, Lagos, Nigeria.

Ghana Medical Journal
|February 18, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Cleft lip and palate repair surgeries have a high incidence of airway complications, particularly during cleft palate (CP) repair. Ensuring skilled personnel and monitoring are crucial to minimize risks.

Area of Science:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Otolaryngology

Background:

  • Anatomical abnormalities in cleft lip and palate (CLP) patients increase the risk of airway complications.
  • Intra-operative airway and respiratory issues are significant concerns during CLP repair.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence of intra-operative airway and respiratory complications during cleft lip and palate repair.
  • To identify risk factors associated with these complications.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective observational study of 50 consecutive patients undergoing cleft lip (CL), cleft palate (CP), or cleft lip and palate (CLP) repair.
  • Anesthesia via inhalation or intravenous routes, with all patients ventilated.
  • Documentation of demographic data and airway/respiratory complications.

Main Results:

  • Overall incidence of airway complications was 38% in 16 patients.
  • Complications included failed/difficult intubation (CP only), tube disconnection, compression, accidental extubation, and desaturation.
  • Higher complication rates observed in CP (38.4%) and CLP (50%) repairs compared to CL (15.8%) repairs.
  • Complications were not significantly influenced by patient age or weight.

Conclusions:

  • Cleft repair surgeries are associated with a high incidence of airway and respiratory complications.
  • Cleft palate surgery demonstrated a higher frequency of complications.
  • Emphasizes the need for skilled personnel and robust monitoring to reduce patient morbidity.
Abstract

Keywords:
airway complicationsanaesthesiacleft lipcleft palate

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