Ultrasonography Guided Spinal Anesthesia in a Case With Severe Kyphoscoliosis

Abstract

Patients with spinal abnormalities present unusual challenges for the administration of sedation and anesthesia during surgical and technical procedures. Airway management and respiratory problems are the commonest. In this case with severe kyphoscoliosis, we aimed to evaluate the advantages of spinal anesthesia technique performed under the guidance of ultrasonography. A 80-year-old female patient presented to our hospital with total uterine prolapsus. Medical history of the patient revealed severe congenital kyphoscoliosis, and restrictive lung disease. Lumbar vertebras and intervertebral spaces of the patient were scanned with an 8MHz head piece of the ultrasound. For spinal access, L4-L5 intervertebral space through which dura can be observed was selected. At the end of the operation, pin prick test detected sensory block at T12 dermatome. This case demonstrates that spinal anesthesia performed under the guidance of ultrasonography can be successful even in cases of severe kyphoscoliosis.