Otolaryngological and Dental Surgery

This chapter discusses the perioperative anesthetic considerations and management of the most common conditions requiring surgical intervention in the head and neck region. Many children scheduled to undergo head and neck surgery present with nasal discharge that may represent either allergic rhinitis or an upper respiratory tract infection (URI). Decreased functional residual and diffusion capacity and increased closing volumes and airway resistance have been noted during a URI. The chapter also discusses otolaryngological surgery, including ear surgery and nasal and pharyngeal surgery and reviews endoscopy of the larynx, trachea and bronchial tree. Pediatric dental procedures are routinely performed in a dentist's office with local anesthesia, with or without sedation. General anesthesia allows the dentist to complete dental restoration in a timely fashion without administering excessive amounts of local anesthetic or approaching the maximum limits of sedation with which they are comfortable in their dental office.