Korean J Anesthesiol.  2006 Aug;51(2):252-256. 10.4097/kjae.2006.51.2.252.

Spinal Anesthesia for a Formerly Premature Infant with Unilateral Vocal Cord Paralysis Undergoing Inguinal Herniorrhaphy: A case report

• Kim DK
• Yeo JS
• Oh CS

• KMID: 1936671
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2006.51.2.252

Abstract

In premature infants, the incidence of inguinal hernia has been reported to be 14-30%. It is generally accepted that inguinal hernia should be repaired as soon as possible, as the incidence of incarceration is higher in infant than in children. However, the risk of life-threatening apnea after surgery is significant in this age group. Spinal anesthesia in premature infants offer a safe alternative to general anesthesia, especially if intubation should be avoid because of coexisting disease. We present a case of successful spinal anesthesia for inguinal herniorraphy in a premature female infant at a postconceptual age 44 + 6 weeks weighing 2,620 g with coexisting unilateral vocal cord paralysis to illustrate technical details and feasibility of this technique even in very low birth weight (birth weight < 1,500 g) infants.

Keyword

herniorraphy; infant; premature; spinal anesthesia

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia, General
Anesthesia, Spinal*
Apnea
Child
Female
Hernia, Inguinal
Herniorrhaphy*
Humans
Incidence
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature*
Infant, Very Low Birth Weight
Intubation
Vocal Cord Paralysis*