Anaesthetic Management for Cataract Surgery in VACTERL Syndrome Case Report.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Ophthalmology
• Clinical Case Reports
• Medical Genetics

Background:

• VACTERL syndrome is a rare, complex disorder characterized by multiple congenital anomalies.
• Patients with VACTERL syndrome often present with a spectrum of health issues requiring multidisciplinary management.
• Cataract surgery in pediatric patients with significant comorbidities necessitates careful pre-operative planning and risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the successful management of cataract surgery in a pediatric patient with VACTERL syndrome.
• To highlight the anesthetic and surgical considerations for VACTERL syndrome patients undergoing ophthalmic procedures.
• To discuss the anticipated complications and their successful management in this complex case.

Main Methods:

• A case report of an 8-year-old girl diagnosed with VACTERL syndrome.
• The patient underwent cataract surgery under general anesthesia.
• Pre-operative and post-operative management focused on addressing known VACTERL-associated anomalies and potential complications.

Main Results:

• Successful cataract surgery was performed under general anesthesia.
• The patient's VACTERL-associated anomalies included vertebral, anal, cardiovascular, tracheoesophageal, renal, and limb defects.
• Anticipated complications such as gastro-esophageal reflux and chronic renal failure were successfully managed.

Conclusions:

• Cataract surgery can be successfully managed in pediatric patients with VACTERL syndrome with careful planning.
• Multidisciplinary care is crucial for optimizing outcomes in patients with complex congenital anomalies.
• Proactive management of potential complications is essential for successful surgical outcomes in VACTERL syndrome.