Cleft palate repair in spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita: minimizing the risk of cervical cord compression.

OBJECTIVE

Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita (SEDC) is a rare, inheritable condition that can include dwarfism, cleft palate, and C(1-2) instability. When repairing a cleft palate in a patient with SEDC, there is a significant risk of cord compression at the C(1-2) level because of neck hyperextension required for the operation. This reports presents a patient with SEDC who underwent surgery for a cleft palate, using a Ferno vacuum splint to immobilize the spine.

INTERVENTION: The patient underwent general anesthesia. Good access was gained to the palate, and it was repaired without any complications. Particular attention was paid to maintaining the neck in a neutral position.

CONCLUSIONS

The described technique provides the patient with the safest possible situation during anesthesia for cleft palate repair.