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Bilateral pneumothoraces in a pediatric patient undergoing Hickman catheter placement
G Brent Shulman1, Neil Roy Connelly
1Department of Anesthesiology, Marshfield Clinic, Marshfield, WI, USA.
Anesthesia and Analgesia
|October 29, 2002
Insights
Laryngeal mask airways (LMA) are common in pediatric patients. However, this case shows LMAs can cause bilateral pneumothoraces after neck surgery, especially in small children undergoing deep-neck dissection.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- The laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is a widely used supraglottic airway device for pediatric patients.
- Airway management in pediatric patients undergoing neck surgery requires careful consideration of potential complications.
Observation:
- A case report detailing bilateral pneumothoraces in a pediatric patient following neck surgery.
- The patient's airway was managed using a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) during the procedure.
Findings:
- The use of a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) was associated with the development of bilateral pneumothoraces.
- This complication occurred in the context of neck surgery in a pediatric patient.
Implications:
- The laryngeal mask airway (LMA) should be used with caution in pediatric patients undergoing deep-neck dissection.
- Clinicians should be aware of the potential risk of pneumothorax when using LMAs in this specific surgical context.
- Further investigation may be warranted to understand the mechanism and incidence of this complication.
Abstract
Implications:
The laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is often used for airway management in pediatric patients. We report bilateral pneumothoraces in a patient who underwent neck surgery whose airway was managed with a LMA. We recommend that the LMA be used with caution in small children undergoing deep-neck dissection.