Disruption of cleft palate repair following the use of the laryngeal mask airway

Abstract

A 51-year-old man was admitted for routine examination of ears with insertion of grommets under general anaesthesia. At 2 years of age he had undergone successful repair of cleft lip and palate. A reinforced laryngeal mask airway was employed to maintain the airway. Postoperatively, it was evident he had suffered complete disruption of the soft palate repair, leading to velopharyngeal insufficiency with nasal regurgitation of fluids. We discuss the possible aetiology, having found no such reported injury pattern documented in the literature. © 2004 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.