Is management of anesthesia in achondroplastic dwarfs really a challenge?
OBJECTIVE
To review our eight-year anesthetic experience with achondroplastic patients.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
15 achondroplastic patients who underwent 53 surgical procedures of orthopedic surgery between 1987 and 1994.


METHODS
Anesthetic technique, drugs, number of incidents, and complications in the intraoperative and postoperative period were recorded.


RESULTS
Adequate premedication before the transfer to the operating room was very useful to reduce anxiety and increase cooperation. Inhalation induction was well tolerated and allowed easy peripheral venous cannulation. Only one patient presented difficulties during intubation (on two occasions). In the other patients, we found small difficulties only during ventilation with a face mask, which was easily corrected by modifying the position of the patient and/or inserting an oropharyngeal airway. No adverse effect was identified for any particular anesthetic drug or technique used.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the characteristic deformities of achondroplastic patients can impede the management of anesthesia, in our study we found no special difficulties. Airway complications did not occur. Thus, no specific optimal anesthetic regimen can be recommended.
Monedero
P
P
Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
Garcia-Pedrajas
F
F
Coca
I
I
Fernandez-Liesa
J I
JI
Panadero
A
A
de los Rios
J
J
D000130:Achondroplasia / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies