| Journal of Medical Cases, ISSN 1923-4155 print, 1923-4163 online, Open Access |
| Article copyright, the authors; Journal compilation copyright, J Med Cases and Elmer Press Inc |
| Journal website https://jmc.elmerpub.com |
Case Report
Volume 17, Number 4, April 2026, pages 141-145
Perioperative Care of a Four-Year-Old Child With Teebi Hypertelorism Syndrome: A Rare Craniofacial Disorder
Table
| System | Clinical features | Anesthetic concerns |
|---|---|---|
| CNS: central nervous system; IV: intravenous. | ||
| Airway and craniofacial | Characteristic facial features including midface hypoplasia, micrognathia, short and broad nasal bridge | Difficult mask ventilation, as midface hypoplasia and broad nasal bridge may prevent an effective mask seal |
| Oropharyngeal involvement including a small oral cavity or cleft lip/palate | Difficult endotracheal intubation due to micrognathia and small oral cavity, which may impair alignment of oral-pharyngeal-laryngeal axes | |
| Risk of upper airway obstruction during sedation with a native airway or following recovery from anesthesia | ||
| Cardiovascular | Congenital heart disease (patent ductus arteriosus, atrial or ventricular septal defects) | Preoperative echocardiography is recommended. |
| Valvular involvement (aortic stenosis) | Potential for sensitivity to myocardial depressants | |
| Root dilatation | Maintenance of systemic venous return is critical in shunting lesions. | |
| Potential for paradoxical embolism with septal defects and intracardiac shunts | ||
| CNS | CNS malformations and structural lesions including ventriculomegaly, agenesis of the corpus callosum, spinal dysraphism (spina bifida, tethered cord) | Intracranial pressure alterations may require consideration of the impact of anesthetic agents or intraoperative maneuvers that impact intracranial pressure. |
| Spina bifida/myelocele or tethered cord (as noted in case discussion) | Cognitive impairment may impact cooperation and communication during perioperative care. | |
| Functional involvement including developmental delay, intellectual disability | ||
| Musculoskeletal and extremity involvement | Limb anomalies including small hands/feet, interdigital webbing, clinodactyly | Vascular access including placement of peripheral IV and arterial cannula may be difficult. Ultrasound guidance is recommended. |
| Attention to positioning is required with padding of pressure points and protection of neural repair sites (spina bifida repair) during long procedures. | ||
| Genito-urinary tract | Cryptorchidism (undescended testes) and shawl scrotum in males | Preoperative assessment of renal function based on past history with imaging (ultrasound) as needed |
| Bicornuate uterus in females | ||
| Gastrointestinal tract | Umbilical hernia and/or omphalocele | Preoperative imaging based on physical assessment and history |
| Congenital diaphragmatic hernias or tracheoesophageal | ||
| Absent gallbladder | ||
| Anorectal malformations | ||