Anesthetic Management in the Case of Premature Infant with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia and Retinopathy of Prematurity

Abstract

In this case report, we present the anesthetic management towards an infant with atelectasis of the right lung, and with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), for whom laser treatment is planned for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). This female infant weighing 950 grams and born through normal vaginal delivery at the 27th gestational age was transferred to our hospital following the diagnosis of BPD and ROP. Standard monitorization was performed for the patient and sevoflurane induction with O₂ was administered, and a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) was placed. One minute later, the patients peripheric oxygen saturation (SpO₂) decreased to 70%. Considering that the increased secretion of the patient should be aspirated, endotracheal intubation was performed. Concordantly, it was observed that the SpO₂ of the patient reached 100% and this value was maintained until the end of the surgery. We conclude that, when administering general anesthesia to these patients, instead of the placement of a LMA, the direct endotracheal intubation would be more efficient to ensure a patent airway and easily aspirate secretions.




J Med Cases. 2010;1(1):10-13
doi: https://doi.org/10.4021/jmc2010.06.101e