International journal of obstetric anesthesia
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Jan 2006
Case ReportsAcute airway obstruction in the puerperium secondary to massive thyroid enlargement.
Pregnancy is known to be thyrogenic and may exacerbate features of thyroid disease. We report the case of a patient whose pregnancy was complicated by respiratory symptoms following remarkable increase in size of a pre-existing goitre. ⋯ A week postpartum she developed acute airway obstruction which necessitated urgent thyroidectomy and management of tracheomalacia with a tracheostomy postoperatively. The effect of pregnancy on the course of her disease and the anaesthetic challenges in the face of limited airway equipment are highlighted.