Postoperative Dysnatremia in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Palatoplasty

OBJECTIVE: Identifying predisposing factors to dysnatremia to improve perioperative care after cleft surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. Patient data were obtained through the electronic medical records of the hospital. SETTING: Tertiary care university hospital. PATIENTS: The inclusion criterion was the measurement of an abnormal natremia value, defined as Na >150 or <130 mmol/l after a cleft lip or cleft palate repair procedure. The exclusion criterion was natremia between 131 and 149 mmol/l. RESULTS: Natremia measurements were available for 215 patients born between 1995 and 2018. Five patients presented with postoperative dysnatremia. Several predisposing factors to dysnatremia have been identified: drugs, infection, administration of intravenous fluids, and postoperative syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion. Although the hospital environment contributes to dysnatremia development, the fact that only patients undergoing cleft palate repair develop natremia anomalies suggests that this surgery may be itself a risk factor. CONCLUSION: Children undergoing palatoplasty may be at higher risk to develop postoperative dysnatremia. Early recognition of symptoms and risk factors, postoperative monitoring, and prompt treatment of dysnatremia diminish the risk of neurological complications.