Severe Spinal Column Deformity from Scoliosis with Harrington Rods Implant

Abstract

ARCH Women Health Care, Volume 3(4): 1–1, 2020 Severe scoliotic deformity of the thoracolumbar spine imposes a significant anesthesia challenge for non-spine surgery. Patients with severe scoliosis are at increased risk for perioperative morbidity and mortality due to underlying pulmonary and cardiac dysfunctions [1-3]. Stress, pain, mechanical ventilation, and surgery-induced inflammation can further increase the risk of postoperative cardiopulmonary failure. We present a preoperative chest radiograph demonstrating extensive thoracolumbar scoliosis with Harrington rods implant, anatomic distortion, and bony dysmorphism (Panel A, white arrow). The patient underwent a living donor kidney transplant under general anesthesia. Preoperative anesthesia and surgical planning is crucial and should focus on airway difficulty, ventilation management, positioning, new kidney location, and postoperative pain management.