Unsuspected temporomandibular joint pathology leading to a difficult endotracheal intubation.
A 40-yr-old woman with an unremarkable medical history and no prior surgeries presented for ambulatory surgery. Physical examination revealed normal jaw opening. On induction of general anesthesia, her jaw was found to be locked in a nearly closed position. We discuss anesthetic considerations and the pathology of temporomandibular joint anterior disk dislocation without reduction. A simple maneuver to reduce the dislocation is described.
Department of Anesthesiology, The Ohio State University, 410 W. 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. small.12@osu.edu
Robert H
RH
Small
Steven I
SI
Ganzberg
Andreas W
AW
Schuster
D000328:Adult; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000150:complications; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000150:complications*