[The Pierre Robin sequence from an anesthesiologic perspective : Presentation of the procedure based on a...

As part of surgical interventions in pediatric patients, children with craniofacial malformations and syndromes are presented in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery, anesthesia and also in all other clinical disciplines. In particular, the Pierre Robin sequence in the clinical context leads to a situation albeit a rare one, which should be given high attention in preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative care.

In a retrospective analysis from 1993 to 2020 in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University Hospital Halle (Saale), a total of 54 patients were identified with syndromic changes and a need for surgical treatment. During this period, 12 patients with a Pierre Robin sequence were genetically confirmed, who received a total of 20 surgical interventions under general anesthesia at different times. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 17.0.

In 12 patients with a Pierre Robin sequence, 20 surgical procedures were performed with the patient under general anesthesia. The youngest patients had an average age of 6 months, the oldest 16 years at the time of the operation. The average age was 5.7 years. In addition to the genetic component, all children were assigned to the ASA I classification. The surgical indication was initially an isolated cleft palate in all patients, followed by further interventions such as dental restorations, corrective surgery in the area of the palate or ear nose throat (ENT) examinations. Drug induction of general anesthesia was weight-adapted using propofol 1%, fentanyl or remifentanil and rocuronium. In our study, out of 18 orotracheal intubations, only 2 patients had to be intubated by video laryngoscopy. One patient required nasal intubation and another was fitted with a laryngeal mask. The success rate of conventional intubation was 89.5%. Postoperatively, one infant had recurrent drops in saturation, so that reintubation was necessary.