Pseudocholinesterase (butyrylcholinesterase) deficiency is an inherited or acquired condition in which the serum pseudocholinesterase levels are absent or lower than normal. The enzyme is produced by the liver; decreased levels of the enzyme in an individual cause increased sensitivity to anesthetic agents, like succinylcholine and mivacurium. Pseudocholinesterase deficiency is caused by butyrylcholinesterase (BCHE) gene mutation, a gene that provides instructions for making the pseudocholinesterase enzyme. Succinylcholine is a depolarizing muscle relaxant that provides a quicker onset and a brief duration of muscle relaxation during general anesthesia. In this article, we would like to discuss a case report of prolonged intubation and ventilation in a patient with pseudocholinesterase deficiency and the necessity of succinylcholine during intubation in comparison to possible alternatives (rocuronium).

Difficult airway during anesthesia is responsible for several cases of morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially when it is unanticipated. Patients with either history of or with predictive factors of a difficult airway show better outcomes since all preventative measures will ensure patient safety. Approximately 30% of all deaths attributed to anesthesia are related to unsuccessful intubation. In this article, we discuss a patient who had a tracheostomy following an unanticipated difficult airway with undiagnosed subglottic stenosis and also reviewed the current literature on the difficult airway.