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Updated: Aug 23, 2026

Spinal Sonography for Ultrasound-Guided Lumbar Neuraxial Anesthesia
Published on: January 31, 2025
Anesthesia for cesarean section in a patient with spinal muscular atrophy
Ashraf S Habib1, Scott E Helsley, Simon Millar
1Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Women's Anesthesia, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. habib001@mc.duke.edu
Abstract:
We describe the anesthetic management for cesarean section and tubal ligation of a 23-year-old primipara with type II spinal muscular atrophy (benign Werdnig Hoffmann). She was wheelchair-bound, had severe restrictive lung disease, and severe kyphoscoliosis, with Harrington rods extending from the thoracic to the sacral spines. A general anesthetic was given. We used propofol and alfentanil for rapid-sequence induction of anesthesia. We did not use any muscle relaxants intraoperatively. Postoperative care was provided in the intensive care unit. The patient made a good recovery.
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