International journal of obstetric anesthesia
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Feb 2018
Airway changes following labor and delivery in preeclamptic parturients: a prospective case control study.
Preeclampsia is associated with greater narrowing of the airway than normal pregnancy, but it is not known if these changes worsen during labor and delivery. The aim of the study was to evaluate the airway during and after labor in women with or without preeclampsia. ⋯ Airway sonography may provide useful bedside anatomical information for prediction of difficult laryngoscopy. The change in airway dimensions and the Mallampati score during labor may persist for 48 h postpartum in both groups. Those with prolonged labor are more susceptible to changes in airway dimensions.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Feb 2018
Case ReportsPre-emptive awake airway management under dexmedetomidine sedation in a parturient with spinal muscular atrophy type-2.
Historically, pregnancy in females with spinal muscular atrophy was contraindicated due to the great risk to the parturient, but with improved management and increased survival more patients are becoming pregnant. We describe the management of a pregnant patient with spinal muscular atrophy type-2, who had severe restrictive lung disease, extensive spinal fusion that precluded neuraxial anesthesia, and chronic respiratory failure on nocturnal Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure. Airway management was further complicated by limited mouth opening and cervical spine ankylosis.