Update on ENT anaesthesia

This review is an update of anaesthesia for common elective paediatric ear, nose and throat (ENT) procedures. ENT is the most frequently performed surgery in children. These often-complex procedures are increasingly booked as day cases but judicious selection of suitable children is important. Suitability may be determined by preoperative assessment of co-morbidities, consequences of the child's presenting pathology (e.g. obstructive sleep apnoea) or a history of recent upper respiratory tract infections. The anaesthetic management of frequently performed paediatric ENT procedures will be discussed, including the potential role for dexmedetomidine.