Anesthetic considerations for orthognathic surgery: Clinical case report

Abstract

Objective: Selection of ideal anesthetic drugs in maxillofacial surgery.
Material and methods: A 22-year-old male patient weighing 75 kg and 171cm in height, with no premedication. Pre-operative vital parameters were BP 120/70, HR 72× min, SpO2 96%, temperature 36.5 °C, sinus rhythm on 5-lead EKG, capnograpy. The patient was subjected to 5 min of pre-oxygenation through a facial mask. The sniff test was performed, good ventilation was confirmed and a Q-tip impregnated in 0.05% oxymetazoline was applied. An intravenous continuous infusion of dexmedetomidine (solution concentration of 0.8 cg/ml) was initiated at a rate of 0.05 mcg/kg/h with a score of 2 on the Ramsay scale. Induction was initiated with fentanyl 3 mcg/kg, propofol 2 mg/kg, rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg. A No. 7 Murphy endotracheal tube lubricated with a 10% lidocaine spray was introduced through the right nostril down to the nasopharynx. At the start of surgery, the dose of dexmedetomidine was increased to 0.1 mcg/kg/h. Intra-operatively, BP was maintained between 84/55mmHg and 90/53mmHg, and HR between 58 and 76 per minute.
Results: The selection of anesthetic drugs allowed for hemodynamic stability and comfort on awakening.
Conclusion: Anesthesia for orthognathic surgery, as it has evolved today, requires combining different anesthetic techniques in order to ensure that the patient remains calm, comfortable and reassured, with adequate post-operative analgesia.