Management of high spinal injury : an anaesthetic riddle

Abstract EN

Cord in.jured patients pose unique difficulties, autonomic dysreflexia merits special concern.

A sixty six year female patient with a history of compressive myelopathy at the level of Tj-T2 was placed for an^rolateral decompression under general anaesthesia.

During intraoperative period the patient developed several episodes of bradycardia and hypertension.

Towards the end of surgery she developed hypothermia and hypotension needing the support of vasopressors.

On the 3rd postoperative day she developed left sided collapse of the lung, which responded to chest physiotherapy and mucolytics.

This case report demonstrates several issues " the anaesthetist while dealing with patients of high spinal cord lesion.

An adequate knowledge and quick anticipation of complications can however avertا disaster