Upper-Airway Obstruction After Short Posterior Occipitocervical Fusion in a Flexed Position

• DOI: 10.1097/01.brs.0000259977.69726.6f
• Publication Date: 2007-04-06T08:04:49Z
• Authors: Makoto Yoshida; Masashi Neo; Shunsuke Fujibayashi; Takashi Nakamura
• Keywords: Airway obstruction; Epiglottis

In Brief Study Design. Case report. Objective. To stress the importance of fusion angle occipitocervical spine based on an unusual case upper-airway obstruction after a posterior from occipital bone to second cervical vertebra (O–C2) in flexed position. Summary Background Data. It is well known that malalignment occipito-cervicothoracic may cause dysphagia or, rarely, dyspnea. However, best our knowledge, there have been no previous English reports prolonged O–C2 fusion. Methods. We present 77-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis, who developed immediately She was reintubated and extubated next day. again suffocated suddenly 3 days surgery, tracheotomy performed. Suspecting main airway not only pharyngeal edema, but also fixture upper position, we changed neutral position 14 surgery. Results. After revision disappeared. Conclusion. An adequate fixation necessary avoid fusion, even for short fusions, especially patients arthritis. This report patient The major considered be disappeared correction