Achondroplasia and emergency caesarean section: A case report

Abstract

Achondroplasia is the commonest variety of rhizomelic dwarfism, which results from abnormal cartilage formation at epiphyseal growth plates. The peculiar facial features, bony deformities and systemic abnormalities often pose a difficulty in administration of anesthesia, particularly in the parturients. There are very few reported cases of spinal anesthesia in achondroplastic parturients, because of its feared high risks. We reported, two cases of achondroplastic parturients with short stature, planned for emergency lower segment caesarean section (LSCS), in view of cephalo-pelvic disproportion under spinal anesthesia. We discussed the anesthetic issues to achondroplastic parturients and finally did under spinal anesthesia. Besides, a myriad of problems encountered in these patients warrant a careful pre-anesthetic evaluation to warrant patients' safety and affirmative procedure outcomes.