USE OF NASAL MASK CPAP INSTEAD OF TRACHEOSTOMY FOR PALLIATIVE CARE IN2 CHILDREN

Nasal continuous positive airways pressure (nCPAP) is recommended in c hildren for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea which persists f ollowing adenotonsillectomy. Nasal CPAP was successfully used in the p alliative care of two severely disabled children with upper airway obs truction as an alternative to tracheostomy. Nasal CPAP resulted in the correction of obstructive apnoea in sleep, with the added benefit of sleep consolidation and fewer nocturnal arousals requiring parental at tendance. There was also an unexpected benefit of reduced airway probl ems in the awake state in these children. Nasal CPAP is an effective f orm of treating upper airway obstruction for palliative care in associ ation with other major disabilities.