Anesthesia for patients with cleft lip and palate

Cleft lip and palate are common defects that may be a part of a syndrome or associated with other anomalies that are of real significance during anesthesia care. Accompanying facial or head and neck anatomical variations may result in difficulties with airway maintenance, endotracheal intubation, and postoperative ventilation, which can vary from mild to extreme. Concurrent congenital heart disease or other systemic illness may require special considerations during the perioperative period.