Caesarean section conducted under subarachnoid block in two sisters with spinal muscular atrophy.
Spinal muscular atrophy is a rare chronic neurological condition characterised by degeneration of the anterior horn cell. Experience with the anaesthetic management of the pregnant patient with this condition is limited. We report the clinical details of two wheelchair-bound sisters, who underwent elective caesarean section within a few weeks of one another. Both patients were safely managed with subarachnoid anaesthesia without any deterioration of their underlying neurological condition. It is hoped that this report will add to the evidence that subarachnoid anaesthesia can safely be used for caesarean section in chronic neurological conditions and, in particular, spinal muscular atrophy.
Anaesthetic Department, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn, Norfolk, UK. angela.kent@klshosp.anglox.nhs.uk
S J
SJ
Harris
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Moaz