Anaesthetic management of a quadriplegic patient with severe respiratory insufficiency undergoing Caesarean section

Abstract

The anaesthetic management of a 30-year-old pregnant quadriplegic patient with severe respiratory insufficiency undergoing Caesarean section is described. Quadriplegia and respiratory insufficiency pose potential problems for anaesthetists and these are discussed. In particular autonomic hyperreflexia may occur and this may be mistaken for pre-eclampsia.