Asleep fibreoptic bronchoscope-guided nasal intubation in a child with bilateral temporomandibular joint ankylosis

Abstract

Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) with bilateral temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis is a rare and challenging case for anaesthesiologists. A 6-year-old girl with PRS along with bilateral progressive TMJ ankylosis was scheduled for gap arthroplasty. Her mouth opening was <1 finger. Securing the airway in a syndromic child with mandibular hypoplasia was challenging. We performed an asleep fibreoptic bronchoscope (FOB)-guided nasotracheal intubation while retaining spontaneous breathing. Managing a difficult paediatric airway needs expertise. We believe that with the use of FOB, difficult airways can be successfully and safely managed.