Asploro Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Case Reports

Asploro Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Case Reports

Hong Tu^1*
1Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China

Corresponding Author: Hong Tu
Address: Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Guoxuexiang 37^th, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.
Received date: 12 June 2024; Accepted date: 02 July 2024; Published date: 09 July 2024

Citation: Tu H. A Successful Endotracheal Intubation of a Patient with Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Case Report. Asp Biomed Clin Case Rep. 2024 Jul 09;7(2):182-85.

Copyright © 2024 Tu H. This is an open-access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium provided the original work is properly cited.

Keywords: Ankylosing Spondylitis, Difficult Airway, Airway Management

Abbreviations: AS: Ankylosing Spondylitis; MRI: Magnetic Resonance Image; ICU: Intensive Care Unit; 3D: Three-Dimensional; CT: Computed Tomography

Abstract

Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that primarily affects the spine and eventually causes its malformation. Surgery is a common treatment for AS patients. Patients with severe AS usually have difficulty with ventilation or intubation. Therefore, airway management should be carefully evaluated, especially in patients with severe cervical deformities. Anesthesiologists must fully and carefully evaluate the airway in these patients.
Case Presentation: A 49-year-old woman with AS suffered from a severe spinal deformity that required surgical treatment under general anesthesia. The patient was monitored for vital signs and adequately oxygenated. Lidocaine was used for cricothyroid puncture and throat anesthesia. The feasibility of tracheal intubation was assessed using a visual laryngoscope to expose the glottis under full surface anesthesia. Finally, a #7 enhanced tracheal catheter was successfully inserted after conventional sequential induction. The surgery was successfully completed, and the patient was discharged 10 days after surgery.
Conclusions: Anesthesiologists should fully and carefully assess the presence of a difficult airway in patients with AS, whether it is difficult to ventilate or intubate. Adequate preparation plans are essential.