Anesthetic management of a parturient with type III Klippel-Feil syndrome

Int J Obstet Anesth. 2011 Jan;20(1):82-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ijoa.2010.09.004. Epub 2010 Dec 4.

Abstract

Klippel-Feil syndrome is believed to occur from failure of normal segmentation of cervical somites during gestation. We present the case of a 38-year-old primiparous woman with type III Klippel-Feil syndrome for elective cesarean delivery. Our patient had a short webbed neck, short stature, limited neck flexion and extension, and thoraco-lumbar abnormalities. A multidisciplinary approach, involving obstetrics, medical subspecialties, anesthesiology, otolaryngology, and radiology, were utilized to evaluate and manage this patient. Pulmonary function testing revealed a restrictive defect, but transthoracic echocardiography was normal without pulmonary hypertension. We planned a combined spinal-epidural technique; however, only the epidural technique was obtained. Cesarean delivery was commenced with favorable maternal and fetal outcomes. Post-operative pain management was provided with intravenous morphine patient-controlled analgesia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analgesia, Patient-Controlled
  • Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use
  • Anesthesia, General*
  • Anesthesia, Obstetrical*
  • Cesarean Section
  • Echocardiography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Klippel-Feil Syndrome / complications*
  • Morphine / therapeutic use
  • Neck / abnormalities
  • Pain, Postoperative / drug therapy
  • Patient Care Team
  • Pregnancy
  • Respiratory Function Tests
  • Spine / abnormalities

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Morphine