Respiratory disturbance and posterior fossa surgery. A case report.

This report, of a 16-month-old child recovering from surgery for a posterior fossa tumour, illustrates how pneumotachography, capnography and occlusion testing before and during CO2 challenge can be of clinical value in the analysis of a difficult respiratory disturbance in the early postoperative period. The application of these techniques to assist decisions regarding timing of extubation as well as for assessment of the influence of remaining tumour on respiratory competence is discussed.