Goldenhar's syndrome: an analysis of anaesthetic management. A retrospective study of seventeen cases.

Seventeen patients with Goldenhar's syndrome who had surgery 28 times are presented. Various authors have reported problems in the anaesthetic management of these patients, but we encountered significant difficulties in only one. Three anaesthetic techniques were used. A thorough pre-operative assessment with back-up facilities for difficult intubation are important. Additional cardiorespiratory and craniovertebral anomalies may necessitate modifications in the basic techniques.