S Shemesh1, S Tamir1, A Goldfarb1, T Ezri2, Y Roth1. 1. Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery,Edith Wolfson Medical Centre,Tel Aviv University Sackler School of Medicine,Holon,Israel. 2. Department of Anaesthesiology,Edith Wolfson Medical Centre,Tel Aviv University Sackler School of Medicine,Holon,Israel.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Upper respiratory tract infection is the most common non-preventable cause of surgery cancellation. Consequently, surgeons and anaesthesiologists involved in elective ENT surgical procedures frequently face a dilemma of whether to proceed or to postpone surgery in affected children. METHODS: A literature review was conducted and a practical assessment algorithm proposed. CONCLUSION: The risk-benefit assessment should take into consideration the impact of postponing the surgery intended to bring relief to the child and the risks of proceeding with general anaesthesia in an inflamed airway. The suggested algorithm for assessment may be a useful tool to support the decision of whether to proceed or to postpone surgery.
BACKGROUND: Upper respiratory tract infection is the most common non-preventable cause of surgery cancellation. Consequently, surgeons and anaesthesiologists involved in elective ENT surgical procedures frequently face a dilemma of whether to proceed or to postpone surgery in affected children. METHODS: A literature review was conducted and a practical assessment algorithm proposed. CONCLUSION: The risk-benefit assessment should take into consideration the impact of postponing the surgery intended to bring relief to the child and the risks of proceeding with general anaesthesia in an inflamed airway. The suggested algorithm for assessment may be a useful tool to support the decision of whether to proceed or to postpone surgery.