Abstract
Purpose
We designed this retrospective study to assess the frequency of difficult airway and difficult intubation in patients with spasmodic torticollis and compare it to that of the general population.
Methods
After Institutional Review Board approval, data were collected from the charts of all the patients with spasmodic torticollis who underwent selective peripheral denervation at our institution between 1988 and 2001. The intubation grade was determined using the Cormack and Lehane laryngoscopic classification. The best laryngeal view was recorded.
Results
Data from 342 patients were available for analysis. Fourteen patients had a difficult airway. In two patients, intubation was difficult with three attempts at laryngoscopy in one patient and use of fibreoptic bronchoscopy in the other. Twelve (3.5%) patients presented with laryngoscopic grades of III or IV The combined prevalence of laryngoscopic view grade III and IV and difficult intubation was 4.4%.
Conclusions
This study assesses the frequency of difficult intubation in patients suffering from spasmodic torticollis. When compared to the general population, these patients do not appear to have a higher frequency of difficult airway or difficult intubation.
Résumé
Objectif
Notre étude rétrospective a été conçue pour évaluer la fréquence des problèmes des voles respiratoires et des difficultés d’intubation chez des patients qui présentent un torticolis spasmodique et les comparer à celle de la population générale.
Méthode
Après avoir reçu l’accord du Comité d’examen, nous avons recueilli les données des dossiers de tous les patients souffrant d’un torticolis spasmodique qui avaient subi une dénervation périphérique sélective à notre hôpital entre 1988 et 2001. La qualité de l’intubation a été déterminée par la classification laryngoscopique de Cormack et Lehane. La meilleure vision laryngée a été notée.
Résultats
Les données de 342 patients étaient disponibles pour analyse. De ce nombre, 14 présentaient des problèmes des voies aériennes. Chez deux patients, l’intubation a été difficile et a nécessité trois essais pour la laryngoscope chez un patient et l’usage d’un fibroscope bronchique chez l’autre. Douze (3,5%) patients ont présenté un grade laryngoscopique III ou IV. La prévalence combinée d’une vision laryngoscopique de grade III et IV et d’une intubation difficile a été de 4,4 %.
Conclusion
Notre étude évalue la fréquence de difficulté d’intubation chez les patients qui souffrent de torticolis spasmodique. Comparés à la population générale, ces patients n’ont pas plus de problèmes des voies aériennes ou de difficultés d’intubation.
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Mac Bich, T., Girard, F., McKenty, S. et al. A difficult airway is not more prevalent in patients suffering from spasmodic torticollis: a case series. Can J Anesth 51, 250–253 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03019105
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03019105