We describe our experience and problems with 335 children who had general anaesthesia for cleft palate and lip surgery. Drawover anaesthesia using halothane and trichloroethylene was easy to use and safe. The main early postoperative problems were airway obstruction and bleeding. Later postoperative care in the ward was hampered by the lack of nursing care and monitoring.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
HerbertKJEastleyRMilwardTM. Assessing blood loss in cleft lip and palate surgery. Br J Plastic Surg1990;43:497–8.
2.
Nepal Family Health Survey. In: USAID Demographic and Health Survey. Geneva: USAID, 1996.
3.
MackieAM. Drawover anaesthetic systems — factors determining the inspired oxygen concentration. Anaesthesia1987; 42:299–304.
4.
GunawardenaRH. Difficult laryngoscopy in cleft lip and palate surgery. Br J Anaesthesia1996;76:757–9.
5.
BeveridgeME. Laryngeal mask anaesthesia for repair of cleft palate. Anaesthesia1989;44:656–7.
6.
ChanMTChanMSMuiKSHoBP. Massive lingual swelling after palatoplasty. An unusual cause of upper airway obstruction. Anaesthesia1995;50:30–4.