A patient with achondroplasia may present some challenges for anesthesia management. Krishnan et al identified risk factors that should be considered prior to induction. The authors are from Vellore, India.
Potential Risk Factor
Implication
upper airway obstruction (associated with brachycephaly, facial hypoplasia), narrow nasopharyngeal airway
difficult intubation and airway management
central apnea
disordered breathing
small glottis and trachea
require endotracheal tubes that are smaller than expected based on age
stenosis of the foramen magnum and narrowing of the upper cervical spinal canal
hyperextension of the neck should be avoided in order to prevent cervical cord compression
difficult venous access due to laxity of skin and soft tissues and to flexion deformities in the limbs
ensure vascular access in advance of any procedure
severe kyphoscoliosis
small lung volumes with difficult ventilation and hypoxemia
tendency for respiratory complications after surgery (atelectasis, hypoxemia, pneumonia)
careful observation after surgery to make sure that recovery is complete
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
Specialty: Anesthesiology, Pedatrics, Genetics
