Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026
05:39
Non-Intubated Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery
Published on: May 26, 2023
The administration of general anesthesia to a patient with croup
Gabriel Man1, Elizabeth Roman, Steven M Neustein
1Department of Anesthesiology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, One Gustave L Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA.
Middle East Journal of Anaesthesiology
|March 23, 2012
Insights
Severe airway narrowing from croup poses anesthesia risks in young children. This case report details anesthesia administration in a 31-month-old child with croup, a situation previously undocumented.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Anesthesiology
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Croup, a common pediatric respiratory illness, can cause significant upper airway obstruction.
- Severe croup presents a high-risk scenario for procedural sedation and general anesthesia due to potential for acute airway compromise.
- Limited literature exists on the anesthetic management of pediatric patients with active croup.
Observation:
- A 31-month-old child presented with symptoms necessitating general anesthesia.
- The patient had a diagnosis of croup, characterized by airway narrowing.
- Anesthesia was successfully administered despite the risks associated with croup.
Findings:
- This case represents the first reported instance of a pediatric patient with croup undergoing general anesthesia.
- The successful administration of anesthesia highlights potential anesthetic management strategies for high-risk croup cases.
- Careful preoperative assessment and planning are crucial for managing airway risks in croup patients requiring anesthesia.
Implications:
- This report expands the understanding of anesthetic considerations in pediatric croup.
- It provides a foundation for future research into safe anesthetic protocols for croup patients.
- Clinicians should consider the potential for severe airway compromise when managing croup in children requiring anesthesia.
Abstract:
Croup in a young child may lead to severe airway narrowing, and would present a severe risk for administration of anesthesia. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no previous case reports of patients undergoing general anesthesia with croup. In our report, we describe a case of a 31 month old child with croup who required anesthesia.
Related Concept Videos
01:24General Anesthesia: Overview
Anesthesia is a medical procedure that uses drugs for CNS suppression to enable painless surgeries and procedures. The selection of anesthetics is influenced by their pharmacokinetic properties, side effects, and patient characteristics. Various types of anesthesia include general, local, regional, spinal, and inhalational.
General anesthesia induces unconsciousness in the whole body, while the others target specific areas or sensations. It is administered to minimize adverse effects, maintain...
General anesthesia induces unconsciousness in the whole body, while the others target specific areas or sensations. It is administered to minimize adverse effects, maintain...
01:22Stages of General Anesthesia
Various sedation levels offer significant advantages in facilitating procedural interventions for patients undergoing medical or invasive surgical procedures. These levels span from anxiolysis to general anesthesia, providing a spectrum of sedative effects to cater to specific patient needs. Anxiolysis reduces anxiety and is achieved through minimal sedation, enabling patients to remain awake and responsive while feeling more at ease during the procedure. This level can benefit minor...
01:20Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview
Inhalation anesthetics are drugs that induce general anesthesia upon inhalation. They work by increasing the sensitivity of GABAA receptors or inhibiting NMDA receptors, leading to a decrease in central nervous system activity. The depth of anesthesia can be rapidly adjusted by changing the concentration of the inhaled gas. Some common examples of inhalational anesthetics include volatile liquids like isoflurane, desflurane, sevoflurane and gases like xenon and nitrous oxide. Isoflurane, a...
01:22Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management
Airway management is a key skill in emergency and critical care settings, as maintaining a clear airway is essential for adequate oxygenation and ventilation.Head Tilt-Chin Lift TechniqueThe head tilt-chin lift maneuver is an essential technique primarily used in patients without suspected cervical spine injuries. To perform this maneuver, one hand is placed on the patient’s forehead, and gentle pressure is applied backward to tilt the head. The fingertips of the other hand are positioned under...
01:31Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses
Skeletal muscle relaxants are used to relax muscle tone and alleviate painful muscle contractions. However, the choice of skeletal muscle relaxants depends on the duration of the surgical procedure in order to minimize potential side effects. Skeletal muscle relaxants like neuromuscular blocking agents [NMBAs] are commonly employed as adjuvants alongside general anesthetics in clinical settings. NMBAs are also used to maintain controlled ventilation during surgery of the larynx or pharynx as...
01:24Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview
Intravenous anesthetics are drugs administered parenterally to induce anesthesia or sedation. Propofol is a widely used agent formulated as a 1% emulsion in soybean oil, glycerol, and egg phosphatide. It induces rapid anesthesia primarily due to its rapid distribution from the bloodstream to target tissues and is metabolized in the liver. However, it can cause significant pain on injection and hypertriglyceridemia. Fospropofol, a water-based prodrug of propofol, lacks these adverse effects.