AIRWAY MANAGEMENT FOR A NEONATE WITH CONGENITAL FUSION OF THE JAWS

Congenital fusion of the jaws is a rare malformation that may prevent oral intubation. The authors encountered a newborn with this anomaly who required general anesthesia. Nasotracheal intubation was carried out under direct vision, using a 3.2-mm fiberoptic bronchoscope with an attached teaching eyepiece. Subanesthetic doses of ketamine were used to provide sedation while maintaining spontaneous ventilation. This technique offers an alternative to tracheostomy in a newborn when oral or blind nasal endotracheal intubation is not feasible.