A & A case reports
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Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an acquired thrombophilic disorder characterized by autoantibodies to cell membrane phospholipids. While altered coagulation can complicate end-stage liver disease, there are few reports describing the perioperative management for liver transplantation in recipients with a preexisting hypercoagulable disorder, such as APS. We present a patient with a history of APS, Budd-Chiari syndrome with cirrhosis, hepatopulmonary syndrome, and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia who underwent liver transplantation complicated by hepatic artery thrombosis. Management included postoperative anticoagulation with a factor Xa inhibitor and, after repeat transplantation, transition to long-term anticoagulation therapy with eventual recovery.
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Case Reports
Unique Considerations in Spinal Cord Stimulator Placement in Pediatrics: A Case Report.
Spinal cord stimulation can be a valuable treatment option in the management of neuropathic pain in select pediatric patients. We present a unique case of a 16-year-old girl with Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome and scoliosis who required the placement of a spinal cord stimulator (SCS) for severe sciatic nerve neuropathic pain after a right above-knee amputation. Several attempts at lead placement were required before successful pain coverage was achieved because of late recognition of significant vertebral body rotation. This case highlights important considerations in pediatric SCS placement including a careful review of the spinal cord anatomy before the placement of an SCS.
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Case Reports
Dexmedetomidine as a Supplement to Spinal Anesthesia Block: A Case Report of Three Infants.
We report a novel use for dexmedetomidine as a supplemental intravenous or intranasal sedative for spinal anesthesia in infants. The children were 1, 2, and 9 months old having either inguinal hernia repair or circumcision. None of them experienced clinically relevant hemodynamic changes or apnea. Pain scores were zero throughout the postoperative period.
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Case Reports
Elective Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Resection of Endotracheal Tumor: A Case Report.
We present a case in which we electively used venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) to facilitate safe resection of a nearly obstructing airway tumor near the carina in a 37-year-old male. The patient was brought to the operating room and underwent bifemoral cannulation for VV-ECMO under light sedation while maintaining spontaneous ventilation. After VV-ECMO was initiated, general anesthesia was induced, and the tumor was resected via rigid bronchoscopy. After resection, the patient was intubated, weaned from ECMO, decannulated, awoken, extubated, and taken to the postanesthesia care unit for recovery.
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Case Reports
Temporary Decompression of Symptomatic Epidural Hematoma via an In Situ Epidural Catheter: A Case Report.
Spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) following neuraxial anesthesia needs prompt recognition and early decompressive measures to prevent long-term neurologic injury. We report a case of SEH presenting on the second postoperative day during an ongoing epidural infusion. ⋯ We describe the timeline of the presentation of SEH and the subsequent clinical course in our patient. Aspiration of blood through an in situ epidural catheter may not only point toward the possibility of SEH but may also temporarily decompress the spinal canal.