[Fiberscopic intubation under general anesthesia for children with Goldenhar syndrome]

Abstract

Goldenhar syndrome is characterised by an eye abnormality such as epibulbar dermoid and lipoma, associated with ear, mandibular, and/or vertebral anomalies. It is well documented that difficult intubation in patient with this syndrome may be expected because of mandibular hypoplasia and limitation of neck movement resulting from vertebral anomalies. We report anesthetic management of two children with Goldenhar syndrome, 9 and 14-year-old. By preoperative examination, two children were expected to be difficult in intubating trachea. We used our newly developed mask adapter which enabled us to perform fiberoptic bronchoscopy-aided tracheal intubation under general anesthesia under controlled ventilation. By using this adapter, under sevoflurane/nitrous oxide anesthesia with vecuronium, we could successfully intubate with a 6 mm spiral tube through the nostril without any major problems. Anesthesia and surgery went uneventfully, and no postoperative complications were noted. We confirmed that our newly developed mask adapter for fiberoptic bronchoscopy is as useful for children with difficult intubation as for adults.