HYPOXIA - ANOTHER ISSUE TO CONSIDER WHEN TIMING CLEFT REPAIR

The factors influencing cleft repair are multiple and complex. A compr omise must be achieved between facial growth, scarring, speech and lan guage development, and psychological factors. However, one question re mains unanswered. When is it safest in relation to the maturity of the respiratory control mechanisms? It was the aim of this pilot study to identify any problems with respiratory function after primary surgery . Of 39 patients, 42% were seen to have episodes of repeated hypoxemia of <92% saturation associated with bradycardia beyond 48 hours postop eratively. The implication of the findings and future directions for r esearch are discussed.