Fiberscope Assisted Videolaryngoscope Intubation in the Surgical Treatment of TMJ Ankylosis

Temporomandibular ankylosis is characterized by the formation of a bony mass which replaces normal temporomandibular joint (TMJ) articulation. Anaesthetic management in these patients requires expertise and dependable intubation technique that allows successful intubation due to anticipated difficulty in accessing the airway. A novel technique of endotracheal intubation is used for the successful airway management during the surgical treatment in patients with TMJ ankylosis with the assistance of fiberscope and GlideScope^® videolaryngoscope. GlideScope^® videolaryngoscope is a recently introduced system for tracheal intubation that has a dedicated video camera encased into a laryngoscope blade and provides better panoramic view than the conventional laryngoscopes. This technique avoids complications such as trauma to soft tissue structures surrounding the glottis during the passage of the tube over the fiberscope. It gives a clear view of the tube and its cuff position during intubation. It also abbreviates the time required for intubation which is a crucial determinant in this subset of patients owing to the difficult airway associated with paediatric age group.