INFLUENCE OF SURGICAL TECHNIQUE ON EARLY POSTOPERATIVE HYPOXEMIA IN CHILDREN UNDERGOING ELECTIVE PALATOPLASTY

We have assessed the influence of different surgical procedures on the incidence, severity and duration of early postoperative hypoxaemia in 312 healthy infants and children undergoing elective palatoplasty. Gr oup 1 patients underwent von Langenbeck palatoplasty (n=149), group 2 patients underwent push-back palatoplasty (n=124) and group 3 patients underwent combined push-back palatoplasty and superior pharyngeal fla p surgery (n=39). Arterial oxygen saturation (Sp(O2)) was recorded whi le patients were breathing air shortly after arrival in the recovery r oom (0 min), and at 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 120 and 180 min the reafter. Patients who underwent more complex surgical techniques for p alatoplasty had lower postoperative Sp(O2) values, slower recovery of S-O2 and a higher Incidence of hypoxaemia during the early postoperati ve period. There were significant differences in postoperative Sp(O2) values and the incidence of hypoxaemia. The incidences of hypoxaemia a nd severe hypoxaemia were 27% and a higher Incidence oi hypoxaemia dur ing the early postoperative period. There were significant differences in postoperative Sp(O2) values and the incidence of hypoxaemia. The i ncidences of hypoxaemia and severe hypoxaemia were 27% and 1%, respect ively, in group 1,37% and 12% in group 2, and 36% and 33% in group 3. Hypoxaemia occurred most commonly in the first 15 min in children afte r von Langenbeck palatoplasty, in the first 40 min after push-back pal atoplasty and in the 120 min after combined push-back palatoplasty and superior pharyngeal flap surgery. There were significant associations between low Sp(O2) values, incidence of hypoxaemia on admission to th e recovery room and recovery scores.