Anesthetic Management of Congenital Epulis

Abstract

Introduction. Epulis of the newborn is a granular cell tumor arising in the mucosa of the dental ridge. It presents as a pedunculated soft tissue mass that can be lobular or multinodular. It is more common in females than in males (8:1) perhaps due to hormonal factors. It may be accompanied by other congenital malformations. Anesthetic management is based on a potentially difficult intubation and the risk of bleeding.

Objectives. To present the case of a newborn with congenital epulis and to review this pathology and its anesthetic management.

Methods and Results. Clinical case presentation.

Conclusions. Several types of anesthesia have been described depending, among other factors, on tumor size and on the professionals involved in excising the lesion. In our case, and given the characteristics of the tumor, we chose inhalation sedation with O₂ / air / sevoflurane, lateral decubitus position and local infiltration at the base of implantation. Good collaboration between the surgeon and the anesthetist is critical for success.