General anaesthesia with and without intubation for patients with Cornelia de Lange syndrome

Abstract

We present the use of different methods of general anaesthesia in two patients with Cornelia de Lange syndrome and its contribution to the patients’ oral health.
Case 1: The patient was a 22-year-old woman with Cornelia de Lange syndrome who underwent dental treatment under general anaesthesia. She exhibited the physical characteristics of Cornelia de Lange syndrome, including a small mouth, thin lips, short limbs, stiffness of joints and intellectual disability. General anaesthesia without intubation was performed safely eight times. No other complications except hypersensitivity to hypnotic agents were observed.
Case 2: The patient was a 10-year-old boy with Cornelia de Lange syndrome who underwent dental treatment under general anaesthesia. He had a history and symptoms of obstructive airway disorders in addition to showing physical characteristics of the syndrome similar to those seen in Case 1. General anaesthesia with nasal intubation was performed safely twice. Computed tomography (CT) of his head and neck produced unremarkable results. These cases demonstrate that both general anaesthesia with and without nasal intubation can be safely used in managing individuals with Cornelia de Lange syndrome during dental treatment.

Keywords: general anaesthesia; Cornelia de Lange syndrome; dental treatment