Anaesthesia for emergency ventriculo-peritoneal shunt in an adolescent with Noonan's syndrome

A 15-year-old boy with Noonan's syndrome was admitted for emergency ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. Intraoperative course was complicated by hypertensive urgency, which was effectively managed with high doses of esmolol (500 μg/kg/min). Difficult airway was anticipated due to presence of webbed neck and facial dysmorphism. Tracheal intubation was however successfully accomplished with the aid of a bougie. This report thus highlights the unique anaesthetic problems encountered during anaesthetic management of such a case, which is worth sharing.