Abstract
Most surgeries in the field of otorhinolaryngology have been performed under regional anesthesia for many years in this country. Recenty, however, general anesthesia is getting more popular though its percentage is still low.
From the standpoint of anesthesiologists surgery of ENT has certain characteristics. One of which is, apart from malignant diseases, that otorhinolaryngologic operations are performed generally on young age groups. Secondly, as most operations involve the airway or structures in the immediate vicinity of the airway, care must be given to airway management. Thirdly, it is frequently necessary for the anesthesiologist to removed the anesthetic equipments from the head of the patient for the purpose of maintaining a clear operation field.
Over the ten years and six months from February 1966 to June 1972, a total number of 10216 ENT surgeries were performed at Jikei University Hospital. Of these, 1047 (10.2%) cases were managed under general anesthesla. This report surveyed these 1047 cases from the anesthetic standpoint. Difficulty was experienced in tonsillectomy, microlaryngoscopic surgery, surgery of hare lip and cleft palate, bronchoscopy and removal of foreign bodies in the upper airway.
The success of anesthetic management is dependent not only on the skill and good judgement of anesthesiologists but also on the close cooperation between the surgeon and anesthesiologist.
