Postpalatoplasty decrease in respiratory dead space in young children.

In 20 children with cleft palates age 1.5 to 2 years, respiratory parameters were evaluated before, 15 minutes after, and 1 hour after palatoplasty. The dead space (VD) in the palatoplasty group decreased from 25.2 +/- 4.7 ml preoperatively to 12.3 +/- 9.1 ml postoperatively. This decrease improved respiratory efficiency. A significant difference was found postoperatively in the partial pressure of CO2 in arterial blood (PaCO2) between the palatoplasty and control groups. No significant differences were found in base excess (BE), arterial pH, pulmonary shunt ratio, and the alveolar-arterial O2 difference (A-aDO2) between the groups pre- and postoperatively. This finding indicated that temporary respiratory failure may exist postoperatively; the phenomena were improved in the recovery room. Since lung compliance and airway resistance may also participate in the decrease in VD, further evaluation of these factors are necessary.