Difficult airway management: Burning no bridges

Abstract

Ameloblastoma is a benign tumor that arises from odontogenic epithelium. It may present a challenge to anaesthetists as it can distort the facial contours and can make bag-mask ventilation difficult. We present a first case of ameloblastoma in our hospital where a 38-year-old female was scheduled for a right mandibulectomy and reconstruction of the mandible with a custom-made titanium implant. Awake fiberoptic intubation was planned as a first choice for induction of anaesthesia as any other technique may have led to serious airway complications. We believe that airway management in difficult airway cases should always be based on the principle of “burning no bridges”.