Publication:

Is regional anesthesia a safe technique for patients with severe ankylosing spondylitis undergoing total hip replacement surgery?

Background Authors report two cases of regional anesthesia management whom were scheduled for total hip replacement surgery due to ankylosing spondylitis.

Methods Mouth opening, and cervical spine movements were limited. Cervical ostheophytes have been recognized to cause distortion of the airway and can lead to unexpected difficulties during intubation.

Results In present first case report we described continuous spinal anesthesia for a patient with severe ankylosing spondylitis. We achieved successful anesthesia using epidural catheter by insertion of spinal area. Awake epidural anesthesia management was described in second case of the study.

Conclusions Authors suggest that regional anesthesia can be safely and effectively used as an alternative to general anesthesia in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.