Airway management for occipital encephalocele in neonatal patients: A review of 17 cases

Abstract

Introduction:Encephalocele, midline defect of cranial bone fusion, occurs most frequently in the occipital region. Airway management in pediatric patients with craniofacial disorders poses many challenges to the anesthesiologist. The purpose of this study is to describe the airway problems encountered for such cases, and describe how these problems were managed.Materials and Methods:We reviewed the charts of occipital encephalocele newborn that were treated by surgical correction in Harran University Hospital during 2006–2008. The collected data were categorized into preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data.Results:The mean age of the patients was 5.17 days. Of these 17 patients, eight patients (47.1%) had hydrocephaly, one patient (5.8%) with Dandy Walker syndrome. Micrognathia, macroglossia, restriction in neck movements were recorded as the reasons in six cases each. No major anesthetic complication was found.Conclusions:We reported perioperative management in 17 occipital encephalocele infant. Comprehensive care during peroperative period is essential for successful outcome.

Caudal Anesthesia in a Neonate with Dandy-Walker Syndrome

“…Additionally, these patients may present with features of a difficult airway, together with neurological disorders such as increased intracranial pressure and brain stem dysfunction. All of these situations create numerous serious challenges to the anesthesiologist [3,4]. We were unable to meet any report published in the literature, related to the anesthetic management of patients with DWS until now.…”

“…Since the use of predictive tests as a part of routine clinical practice is limited in pediatric patients, difficult intubation is especially important in this age group. A clue which might help in predicting the potentially difficult intubation is the presence of associated congenital anomalies [4].…”

Anesthetic management of a newborn with occipital meningocele for magnetic resonance imaging

“…The defect is more often in the occipital bone. [ 3 ] Neonates with encephalocele can have associated sensory and motor deficits, hydrocephalus, and other associated congenital anomalies.…”

Association of Hydrocephalus with Neural Tube Defect: Our Experience with the Surgical Treatment in One or in Two Operative Stages (on Separate Days)

“…Similarly, the treatment of each condition separately poses only few problems [9-12]. However, in case of a combination of these conditions, the problem of a simultaneous or separate surgical treatment is posed.…”