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Complicated airway management in a child with prune-belly syndrome
1Department of Anaesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University, 55139 Kurupelit, Samsun, Turkey. sibelbaris@superonline.com
Paediatric Anaesthesia
|July 10, 2001
Insights
Managing the airway in a child with prune-belly syndrome (PBS) can be challenging. A laryngeal mask airway (LMA) provided a successful alternative when intubation failed.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Anesthesiology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Prune-belly syndrome (PBS) is a rare congenital disorder characterized by abdominal wall deficiency, urinary tract abnormalities, and cryptorchidism.
- Airway management in patients with PBS can present unique challenges due to craniofacial and upper airway anomalies.
Observation:
- A 15-month-old boy diagnosed with prune-belly syndrome experienced difficult airway management during general anesthesia.
- Initial attempts at tracheal intubation via direct laryngoscopy were unsuccessful.
Findings:
- Inhalation induction with sevoflurane was performed.
- A laryngeal mask airway (LMA) was successfully inserted, facilitating an uneventful anesthetic course.
- The LMA served as a viable alternative to endotracheal intubation in this complex pediatric case.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering alternative airway devices in pediatric patients with PBS.
- The successful use of an LMA suggests its utility in managing difficult airways associated with prune-belly syndrome.
- Anesthesiologists should be prepared for potential airway challenges and have alternative strategies readily available for patients with PBS.
Abstract:
We describe a 15-month-old boy with prune-belly syndrome (PBS) in whom airway management was complicated. Following an inhalation induction using sevoflurane, tracheal intubation by direct laryngoscopy proved impossible after repeated attempts. A laryngeal mask airway (LMAtrade mark) was inserted and the child had an uneventful anaesthetic course.