A Case Report of a Fractured Healthy Tooth during Use of Guedel Oropharyngeal Airway

PHK Kok, KM Kwan, CK Koay
Correspondence: Dr Patrick Kok, patrick_kok@cgh.com.sg; patrickkok@hotmail.com

ABSTRACT
A young Chinese male with healthy dentition was admitted for haemorrhoidectomy. General anaesthesia was administered using facemask and a Guedel oropharyngeal airway with patient breathing spontaneously on nitrous oxide, oxygen, desflurane. Except for a brief episode of laryngospasm, no adverse events were noted intraoperatively. Postoperatively however patient was found to have a fractured upper incisor. Mechanism of possible events that caused the fracture are postulated. Problems associated with the use of Guedel airway are discussed and alternatives proposed.

Keywords: Anaesthesia, complications, oral, prevention
Singapore Med J 2001; 42(7): 322-324