Anesthesia & Clinical Research
Open Access

Abstract

Management of Difficult Airways due to Cervical Teratoma Presenting with Respiratory Distress at Birth: Reports of Two Cases

Kwari YD, Sani A and Balami AP

Difficult airway is common among paediatric patients not only because of their peculiar anatomy or pathological conditions but also because of their low oxygen reserves and high metabolic rate which predisposes them to quick oxygen desaturation during laryngoscopy and intubation. The case reports are aimed at describing the airway management of two neonates with huge cervical teratoma with features of airway obstruction. Both neonates were successfully intubated with uncuffed endotracheal tubes under deep inhalational anaesthesia with halothane and spontaneous ventilation. One of the neonates suffered brief period of hypoxia due to failed attempt at laryngoscopy but was quickly corrected by assisted ventilation with facemask. We highlight the need to identify and anticipate difficult airway in neonates with cervical teratoma so that adequate preparation in terms of airway equipment and anaesthetic techniques can be made beforehand.