ABSTRACT
The review of anaesthesia for paediatric otorhinolaryngology procedures is not to produce a definitive text for the expert anaesthetist working in a tertiary centre; rather it is to give a flavour of the techniques and pitfalls associated with the specialty. Any patient presenting with stridor or other symptoms of airway obstruction will be a source of particular concern to an anaesthetist. It is useful to document drugs that affect the heart, lungs and nervous system so that we can ensure that long-term conditions continue to be treated. If any problems are detected at this clinic, there should be a prompt communication with both surgeon and anaesthetist to aid planning. It is becoming common practice for children and their parents or carers to attend a pre-operative assessment clinic before any operative procedure. A paediatric tracheostomy differs from the adult in technique, as a vertical slit is made in the trachea after placing two lateral support sutures.
