Anesthetic challenges in an infant with multiple structural airway anomalies

Abstract

Airway anomalies such as laryngomalacia, laryngeal webs, micrognathia, and retrognathia cause respiratory distress in infants and pose a significant challenge in anesthetic management. We report the case of a 2-month-old infant with laryngomalacia on continuous positive airway pressure support since birth, posted for laryngeal surgery, who was found to have micro-retrognathia during pre anaesthesia checkup. Securing the airway and preventing hypoxia were the main challenges in this child. Adequate measures were taken for continuous oxygenation during induction of anesthesia. The child underwent supraglottoplasty with an uneventful intraoperative course. However, the airway obstruction persisted in the postoperative period requiring a surgical tracheostomy. The child subsequently underwent mandibular distraction surgery after 1 month and was discharged with a tracheostomy tube. Although various anesthetic options have been described to manage the difficult pediatric airway, the anesthetic technique should be customized to ensure airway patency and oxygenation in the perioperative period as illustrated in this case report.