Anesthésie de l'enfant enrhumé

Rhinopharyngitis is a very common condition in children. The presence of an infection of the upper airways increases significantly the risk of respiratory complications from induction of anaesthesia to recovery. The outcome is usually favorable, however some complications can be life-threatening. Thus, the objective of this review is to give a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms, consequences, circumstances, preventive measures and specific treatments of upper respiratory tract infection; and to guide and argue the individual risk-benefit analysis leading or not to cancel surgery.