A & A case reports
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Case Reports
Stepwise Rostrocaudal Brainstem Anesthesia as a Complication of Local Anesthesia: A Case Report.
Iatrogenic cranial nerve palsies can rarely complicate neurosurgical, oral maxillofacial, and otolaryngological procedures. Among the most serious complications of cranial nerve palsy is upper airway obstruction, which is life threatening. ⋯ This led to hypoxic respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation before resolving spontaneously. This is the first known case of accidental brainstem anesthesia secondary to lidocaine infiltration at an occipital craniectomy site and serves to caution clinicians who manage similar patients.
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Pulmonary hypertension is a feared complication in congenital heart disease patients. Patients with pulmonary hypertension are at risk for major perioperative cardiopulmonary complications when undergoing any surgical procedure, especially airway and laparoscopic procedures. We present the anesthetic management for a 2-year old with Down syndrome and complex cyanotic congenital heart disease undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for severe obstructive sleep apnea.
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Cardiopulmonary resuscitation has a low success rate both in and out of the hospital setting. Return of spontaneous circulation, however, is considerably higher for intraoperative cardiac arrests. Chest compressions remain of utmost importance. ⋯ However, this depth is often not achieved. We describe a case in which the adequacy of chest compressions, based on hemodynamic monitoring, was achieved with 2 persons simultaneously providing a compressive force. This hemodynamic-directed care resulted in return of spontaneous circulation on 2 separate occasions.
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Review Case Reports
Perioperative Management for Abdominal Surgery in Bilateral Diaphragmatic Paralysis: A Case Report and Literature Review.
The optimal approach to postoperative analgesia in patients with bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis undergoing abdominal surgery remains unclear. We report a 69-year-old woman with bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis who underwent a laparoscopic hernia repair and an open laparotomy for reversal of a Hartmann procedure under general anesthesia. ⋯ The patient's trachea was successfully extubated at the end of both surgical procedures. Epidural analgesia was associated with better pain control and shorter intensive care unit stay.
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Case Reports
Severe Postpartum Headache and Hypertension Caused by Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome: A Case Report.
Reversible cerebrovascular vasoconstriction syndrome is an uncommon condition that presents as severe headache and hypertension. Recent literature suggests a 1% incidence in postpartum headache cases. It can cause subarachnoid hemorrhages, cerebral ischemia, and seizures. ⋯ When treatment for eclampsia failed to resolve her symptoms, magnetic resonance angiography was performed. It demonstrated the pathognomic signs of reversible cerebrovascular vasoconstriction syndrome. Her symptoms resolved with nimodipine.