Sudden hypoxia during anesthesia in a patient with Kartagener's syndrome.
We report a case of anesthesia in an adolescent with recurrent left pneumothorax, Kartagener's syndrome, and severe learning disability with behavioral difficulties. After induction of anesthesia, he rapidly developed severe desaturation as measured on pulse oximetry. Placement of an intercostal chest drain did not remedy the situation and he was found to have blocked the left main bronchus with viscous secretions. Subsequent suctioning relieved the obstruction. Despite successful postoperative thoracic epidural analgesia and minitracheostomy for bronchial toilet, he developed bronchopneumonia that resolved with antibiotics. We discuss anesthesia for patients with Kartagener's syndrome and for patients with pneumothorax.
Dylan Bould
M
M
Department of Anesthesia, Royal Brompton Hospital, Sydney Street, London, UK. dylanbould@yahoo.co.uk
Gothard
John W W
JW
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D007619:Kartagener Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography