| CASE REPORT |
|
| Year : 2014 | Volume
: 3
| Issue : 1 | Page : 418-420 |
|
|
An unusual case of multiple failed extubations in a neurosurgical patient
Gana Boban Thadathil1, Jithendra2, Mathew George2, Jithin K Sree3, PJ Binu4, Jeevan Lal4
1 RT Intern, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, India
2 Associate Professor of Anaesthesiology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, India
3 Chief Respiratory Therapist, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, India
4 Respiratory Therapist, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, India
Correspondence Address:
Gana Boban Thadathil
RT Intern, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
|
|
|
A 41 year old woman, ASA PS1, an operated case of Chiari type 1 malformation, syringomyelia and syringobulbia, was posted for right syringopleural shunt. After a routine on-table extubation, immediately postoperatively, she lost consciousness, became progressively hypoxaemic requiring emergent reintubation. Blood gases revealed severe respiratory acidosis. The patient was systematically evaluated for likely causes of respiratory failure considering the sites of surgery and her preoperative surgical condition, i.e., brainstem, chest and larynx. She failed three trials of extubation, at different stages of her evaluation. Suspecting an undiagnosed neurological condition, the neurologist's evaluation discovered a three-month history of easy fatiguability, dysphagia and ptosis. Nerve conduction studies also pointed to the diagnosis of myasthaenia gravis. After initiating steroids and neostigmine, the patient made a steady recovery and was successfully weaned off the ventilator.
|
|
|
|
| [PDF]* |
|
 |
|
