Outcome of anesthetic management for children with craniofacial deformities

The challenge for anesthetic management for children with craniofacial deformities is to develop comprehensive anesthetic care. The purposes of this study were to review the authors' experience with airway management and ventilator support and evaluate outcome during the perioperative period among these patients at the Tawanchai Center, Srinagarind Hospital.

A retrospective (2005-2009), descriptive study was conducted to analyze the anesthetic management and perioperative outcomes among children with craniofacial deformities at the Tawanchai Center. Techniques for airway management included direct laryngoscope (DL), DL with stylet, fiber-optic bronchoscope (FOB), laryngeal mask airway, retrograde intubation, a combination of these techniques and more than one anesthesiologist.

Forty-five children with craniofacial deformities were classified as having the following: craniosynostosis; craniofacial microsomia; Treacher-Collins syndrome (TCS); coloboma of the eye, heart defects, atresia choanae, retarded growth and/or development, genital and/or urinary abnormalities, ear abnormalities and deafness (CHARGE) syndrome; frontoethmoidal encephalomeningocele; Pierre Robin sequence; and craniofacial cleft. Most of the patients underwent induction of anesthesia by inhalation of an anesthetic agent. The children with TCS were the most difficult group with regard to airway management with DL view (13%), and multiple airway accessories and intubation techniques were needed. The two most common methods for management of difficult airway obstructions were the use of stylet and FOB. No complications occurred during intubation and minor complications were observed during the perioperative period.

A successful outcome depended on the provision of interdisciplinary craniofacial team management, comprehensive anesthetic evaluation and management, well-informed and cooperative children and supportive family members.