case report

Nasotracheal Intubation under Fiber bronchoscopy: The Only Option in a Patient with Bilateral Arthrosis of the Temporomandibular Joint

Authors: Carlota Gordaliza*, Rocío Gutiérrez-Bustillo, María Pérez-Herrero

*Corresponding Author: Carlota Gordaliza, Servicio de Anestesiología y Reanimación. Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, Spain

Servicio de Anestesiología y Reanimación. Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, Spain

Received Date: 24 June 2022

Accepted Date: 27 June 2022

Published Date: 30 June 2022

Citation: Gordaliza C, Gutiérrez-Bustillo R, Pérez-Herrero M (2022) Nasotracheal Intubation under Fiber bronchoscopy: The Only Option in a Patient with Bilateral Arthrosis of the Temporomandibular Joint. Ann Case Rep 7: 880. DOI: https://doi.org/10.29011/2574-7754.100880

Abstract

Osteoarthritis of the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) is characterized by deterioration and abrasion of the articular cartilage and soft tissue surfaces that is accompanied by thickening and remodeling of the underlying bone. Patients report pain, jaw muscle fatigue, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Surgical treatment should be considered after failure of other non-invasive methods and if quality of life is significantly affected. TMJ disorders fall into the category of difficult airway and Nasotracheal intubation with optical fiber optic bronchoscopy with the patient awake is the technique of choice [1].

Keywords: Osteoarthritis; Temporomandibular joint; Difficult airway; Fiber optic bronchoscope

Case Presentation

We present the case of a 43-year-old woman with severe temporomandibular osteoarthritis (Figure 1, 2) who underwent surgery for the placement of bilateral prostheses (Figure 3). As background, he presented an adaptive disorder, second-degree Mobitz I atrioventricular block and hypervagotonia with a history of vasovagal syncope and cardiorespiratory arrest in two TMJ repair operations under general anesthesia.

Before the surgery, we obtained consent for the publication of the case, the anesthetic-surgical risks of the intervention were reported, and the implantation of a temporary perioperative external pacemaker was scheduled. The airway examination revealed retrognathia, inability to open the mouth (maximum 2 cm), which made it difficult to assess Mallampati, and an intratracheal diameter of 1.7 cm (measured by ultrasonography with a linear probe in the transverse cervical axis).

Nasotracheal intubation with a 3-mm Ambu® aScope Fiberoptic Bronchoscope is planned, under sedation with intravenous midazolam 2 mg and topical anesthesia of the upper airway with 0.4% lidocaine nebulization. A ringed tube of size 6.0 is chosen. As a nasal preparation, oxymetazoline is applied at 0.5 mg/ml, 1 ml per nostril. Sevoflurane is then administered via face mask for one minute before fiberoptic bronchoscopy. During the intubation maneuver, it is necessary to perform a jaw thrust maneuver to achieve a partial view of the vocal cords. Once the vocal cords are visualized, instillations of 0.4% lidocaine are applied “as you go” to facilitate the infraglottic penetration of the fiberscope and the tracheal tube. At the end of the intervention and with recovery of consciousness and spontaneous ventilation, the patient was extubated without complications and transferred to the post-anesthetic recovery unit.

Discussion

Patients suffering from TMJ pathology, especially in cases of severe limitation of mouth opening, pose a challenge for all professionals involved in airway management. Airway exploration and planning should be as complete as possible. In the case of a mouth opening of less than 20 mm, the classic assessment scales are difficult to apply, the introduction of the laryngoscope blade may be impossible and may even aggravate joint injuries. These patients usually associate trismus refractory to general anesthesia and neuromuscular relaxation (unlike trismus secondary to pain). Therefore, in most cases, intubation using a fiberoptic bronchoscope is usually necessary, either oral or nasal.

Figures


Figure 1: Preoperative orthopantomography of the patient.

 

Figure 2: Bilateral degenerative arthropathy of the TMJ.



Figure 3: Post-surgical control of bilateral TMJ prostheses.

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Annals of Case Reports