Anesthetic Approach and Perioperative Complications in Cleft Lip/Palate Surgery: A Single Center Retrospective Study

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine factors that may affect anesthesia and surgical complications, difficult airway, and the need for intensive care unit (ICU) care in cleft lip and cleft palate (CLCP) surgeries. Materials and Methods: The study was a retrospective review of the records of 617 patients who underwent CLCP surgery between 2015-2019. Results: The number of anesthesia complications was higher in patients with difficult mask ventilation. Surgical complications were more common in patients >1 year of age. Isolated cleft palate (CP) surgery; presence of a concomitant disease, syndrome, or micrognathia; age >1 year; and the CP subtype were associated with a higher rate of difficult intubation. Isolated cleft palate, concomitant disease, syndrome, micrognathia, difficult intubation, difficult mask ventilation, and anesthesia complications were associated with ICU admission. Conclusion: The CP subtype was associated with a higher rate of difficult intubation and ICU hospitalization even in patients who were nonsyndromic and/or >1 year of age. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the anesthesia and surgical management of these patients.