Catheter-based local analgesia for the fractured mandible in a patient with a history of hereditary angioedema

Hereditary angioedema is a rare genetic condition causing episodes of angioedema—including life-threatening laryngeal oedema. Episodes can be unpredictable, or triggered by factors such as trauma, drugs or dental treatment. When faced with a patient with a fractured mandible, who has had a severe attack of angioedema when prescribed either ibuprofen or codeine based analgesia, this required an alternative approach to analgesia. Using a catheter and local anaesthesia, we were able to keep the patient comfortable, and pain free.