Volume 17, Number 2, June 2005
| Perioperative Airway Evaluation during Cleft Palate Repair at an Early Age in Infants and Children with Pierre Robin Sequence |
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Lian Zhou, Lian Ma, Rui-Chang Liu, Ke-Ying Liu, Xing Wang
Department of Stomatology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the perioperative airway function and breathing pattern after cleft palate repair at an early age in infants and children with Pierre Robin sequence.
Patients and Methods: Six consecutive patients (4 boys and 2 girls) with Pierre Robin sequence underwent primary cleft palate repair using the von Langenbeck technique from May 2001 to February 2004. Pre- and postoperative polysomnographic studies were performed and perioperative arterial oxygen saturation was monitored.
Results: All the patients experienced some degree of hypoxaemia during the endotracheal intubation procedure. Only 1 patient had hypoxaemia in the postanaesthetic recovery period. No obvious difference was found in the apnoea and hypopnoea index among patients when comparing preoperative and postoperative polysomnographic findings.
Conclusions: Hypoxaemia was likely to occur during intubation in infants and children with Pierre Robin sequence, while a pre-existing disordered breathing pattern, especially if severe, predisposed the patients to postoperative hypoxaemia. The need for an experienced specialist anaesthetist and the need for postoperative intensive care are emphasised.
Key words: Cleft palate, Pierre Robin syndrome, Sleep disorders
Asian J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2005;17:104-108.
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