Anesthesia management in pediatric patients with laryngeal papillomatosis undergoing suspension laryngoscopic surgery and a review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: The excision of laryngeal papillomas poses a great challenge for both the anesthesiologist and the surgeon. The narrowness of the airways and the great variability of the pathological lesions necessitate close collaboration between the surgical and anesthesia teams to provide optimal operating conditions and ensure adequate ventilation and oxygenation. Our aim was to explore perioperative anesthesia management in pediatric patients during the excision of laryngeal papillomas with a suspension laryngoscope.

METHODS: Fifty-eight pediatric patients suffering from laryngeal papillomas were included in this retrospective study. These patients had degrees of laryngeal obstruction from I to III and underwent suspension laryngoscopic surgery to excise laryngeal papillomas between January 2007 and December 2010. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status of the patients ranged from I to III. Anesthesia was induced by intravenous administration. Once the child was unconscious, a 2% lidocaine aerosol solution was sprayed over the laryngeal area directly under the laryngoscope. For patients to tolerate suspension laryngoscopy, it is necessary to maintain spontaneous breathing and ensure adequate anesthesia depth. The airway was secured, and sufficient ventilation was established throughout a tracheal tube (ID 2.5 or 3.0) which was placed close to glottis and connected to Jackson Rees system. Hemodynamic parameters and pulse oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) were closely monitored, and adverse events were recorded.

RESULTS: Most of the patients 89% (52/58) were hemodynamically stable during the perioperative period. Laryngospasm and laryngeal edema occurred in several children during emergence from the anesthesia. Tracheal intubations were performed in six patients (10.3%). Tracheotomies were performed in two patients. One patient had to be sent to the ICU for comprehensive therapy.

CONCLUSION: The most important consideration for anesthesia during suspension laryngoscopy is (1) the maintenance of adequate ventilation, (2) to permit surgical exposure, and (3) to maintain suitable depth of anesthesia which relaxes the vocal band, avoids laryngeal spasms (reflex closure), reduces cardiovascular reaction and wakes up quickly after operation. Any factors that aggravate laryngeal obstruction and dyspnea should be avoided.