Foreign Body Airway Obstruction Due to Food Residues during General Anesthesia Induction for Palatoplasty in a Patient with Cleft Palate.

General anesthesia for cleft palate surgery carries significant risks, with most complications occurring during induction. We report the case of a 17-month-old boy with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate who developed bronchial obstruction during induction of general anesthesia for cleft palate surgery due to food residues. The foreign body was promptly removed via bronchoscopy. Severe bradycardia, hypoxemia, and atelectasis in the right upper lung field were observed but subsequently resolved. Although such residues rarely pose a problem during induction of general anesthesia, they can lead to serious complications and warrant careful perioperative management. Upon reviewing this case, we identified the risks associated with the induction of general anesthesia in cleft palate surgery and emphasized the importance of perioperative management. Even with adequate preoperative management, it is crucial to check for any foreign bodies in the oral and nasal cavities during induction of general anesthesia to prevent airway obstruction.