Extradural anaesthesia for caesarean section in achondroplasia

Abstract

We describe the successful management of a 26-yr-old achondroplastic dwarf undergoing elective Caesarean section under extradural anaesthesia. The patient had marked thoraco-lumbar kyphoscoliosis and clinical features which suggested that tracheal intubation would prove difficult. Block sufficient for surgery required only 5 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine and, apart from an initial unilateral block and mild intraoperative hypotension, her perioperative course was uneventful. © 1990 British Journal of Anaesthesia.