Korean J Anesthesiol.  2000 Jan;38(1):178-182. 10.4097/kjae.2000.38.1.178.

Aspiration Pneumonia in Esophageal Achalasia Patient during Anesthesia for Cesarian Section

• Lee BH
• Lee JY
• Sa HK
• Park CH
• Kim MK

• KMID: 2091508
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2000.38.1.178

Abstract

Achalasia is a motility disorder of the esophagus characterized by aperistalsis, incomplete lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation, and increased LES tension. Obstruction at the esophageal hiatus results in dilatation of the thoracic esophagus, which can cause coughing and dyspnea by compression of the trachea and main-stem bronchi, and predisposes the patient to regurgitation and pulmonary aspiration of stagnant esophageal contents. We report a case of slight aspiration pneumonia during anesthesia in a pregnant woman who had achalasia of the esophagus. Epidural anesthesia was performed for a cesarian section uneventfully. She had a regurgitation of the gastroesophageal contents after a thiopental 225 mg IV because she wanted to sleep due to anxiety. We performed endotracheal intubation with Sellick's maneuver immediately followed by suction. We regret not to have recognized that she had achalasia of the esophagus. Therefore, we did not remove the esophageal contents with a nasogastric tube. The result was that she had slight aspiration pneumonia.

Keyword

Anesthesia, complications: aspiration; Gastrointestinal tract: achalasia

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia*
Anesthesia, Epidural
Anxiety
Bronchi
Cough
Dilatation
Dyspnea
Esophageal Achalasia*
Esophageal Sphincter, Lower
Esophagus
Female
Humans
Intubation, Intratracheal
Pneumonia, Aspiration*
Pregnant Women
Relaxation
Suction
Thiopental
Trachea
Thiopental