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A novel approach to managing circumferential entrapment of a child's tongue within a plastic lid

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 February 2022

A Selwyn Open the ORCID record for A Selwyn [Opens in a new window] ,
C V Praveen ,
R De Silva  and
F Rehman
A Selwyn*
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham, Kent, UK
C V Praveen
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham, Kent, UK
R De Silva
Affiliation:
Department of Anaesthetics, Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham, Kent, UK
F Rehman
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham, Kent, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Ms Anya Selwyn, 4 Welcombes View, Coulsdon CR5 3FJ, UK E-mail: a.selwyn@doctors.org.uk
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Abstract

Background

The increased popularity of reusable drinking bottles may have safety implications when used by children. This paper discusses the lessons learnt from managing two cases of children presenting to our ENT department who required surgical intervention for complications arising from their use.

Case report

This paper presents a case series of two five-year-old children who attended the emergency department with circumferential entrapment of their tongue within plastic drinking bottle lids of similar design. The unique anaesthetic and surgical challenges surrounding these cases are discussed.

Conclusion

These represent the only reported cases of circumferential entrapment of the tongue by a foreign body requiring general anaesthesia where orotracheal intubation was contraindicated. A creative general anaesthetic approach was taken using ketamine and Optiflow high-flow nasal oxygen therapy. A reproducible surgical technique using powered cutting instruments is also discussed.

Keywords

TongueForeign BodiesMouthChild

Information

Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 136 , Issue 3 , March 2022 , pp. 279 - 282
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED

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Footnotes

Ms A Selwyn takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

References

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