Forty-three children, aged 23 months to 14 years, received 102 anaesthetics
for insertion of bone-anchored hearing aids, each lasting approximately 30
-60 min. Forty of the children had a recognised syndrome involving the head
and neck, including Goldenhar's and Treacher Collin's syndrome. The incide
nce of congenital heart disease was 19%. Pre-existing conditions, anaesthet
ic technique, grade of intubation, complications and discharge were audited
. Sixteen of the patients were classified as Grade 3 or 4 intubations. Over
the 7 years, laryngeal mask airway usage increased for airway maintenance
rather than tracheal intubation, as did the use of propofol for induction r
ather than inhalational methods. Intra-operative complications (5.9%) were
related to the airway, and postoperative ones (17.6%) mainly to nausea and
vomiting. Surgery was performed as a day case in 71% of the patients despit
e some long-distance travel.