Cherubism and anaesthesia

Area of Science:

• Paediatric Anaesthesiology
• Medical Genetics
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Background:

• Cherubism, a rare familial disorder, causes mandibular enlargement and can lead to difficult intubation in children.
• This case involves a 5-year-old girl with a family history of cherubism requiring anaesthesia for mandibular lesion removal.
• Preoperative assessment revealed no airway limitations, with a Mallampati score of 1.

Discussion:

• The anaesthetic approach included sevoflurane, intravenous sufentanil, and nasotracheal intubation under direct laryngoscopy.
• Minimally invasive techniques and careful airway management were crucial for this patient.
• The successful management underscores the importance of tailored anaesthetic plans for rare genetic conditions.

Key Insights:

• Successful anaesthesia and uneventful nasotracheal intubation were achieved in a paediatric patient with cherubism.
• This case demonstrates effective management strategies for potential airway challenges associated with cherubism.
• The study highlights the safety of general anaesthesia with sevoflurane and sufentanil in this context.

Outlook:

• Further research into anaesthetic considerations for cherubism is warranted.
• Improved understanding can enhance patient safety and outcomes in paediatric patients with this condition.
• This case contributes to the literature on managing rare genetic disorders in paediatric anaesthesia.