Airway Management of Patient with Ankylosing Spondylitis and Mental Retardation : A case report

Seong, Seung Hye; Kang, Su Jin; Yang, Hong Seuk

Case Report

Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia

Anesthesia and Pain Medicine 2008;3(1):33-35.
Published online January 30, 2008.

Airway Management of Patient with Ankylosing Spondylitis and Mental Retardation : A case report

Seung Hye Seong, Su Jin Kang, Hong Seuk Yang

Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Ulsan University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. hsyang@amc.seoul.kr

Abstract

Almost all anesthesiologists are encounter a difficult airway occasionally, which is probably the most important cause of anesthesia related morbidity and mortality. The Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway (ILMA) is a modified laryngeal mask airway with the capability for guided tracheal intubation while maintaining ventilation. We report the successful use of this device in patient with ankylosing spondylitis, mental retardation and hearing disturbance. This case suggests that ILMA is a safe and useful method for airway management in anesthetic care of uncooperative patients.

Key Words: ankylosing spondylitis, difficult airway, intubating laryngeal mask airway