Anaesthesia for Excision of an Intraoral Mass in a Neonate: Use of a Laryngeal Mask during Removal of Congenital Epulis

Abstract

Congenital epulis is a rare intraoral tumour of the newborn arising from gingival mucosa, most commonly from the alveolar ridge1. It may interfere with normal feeding or potentially compromise respiration. We describe the anaesthetic management of one such case of a female infant born with a single epulis, approximately 3 cm in diameter, protruding from her mouth. The lesion was removed one day after delivery, under general anaesthesia using a laryngeal mask airway to control the infant's airway. The rationale for this management plan and alternatives to this strategy are discussed.