CARDIOPULMONARY COMPLICATIONS DURING ANESTHESIA AND SURGERY FOR SEVERE THORACIC LORDOSCOLIOSIS

A 15-year-old girl underwent a posterior spinal fusion procedure for s evere lordoscoliosis. On turning to the prone position acute posture-r elated upper airway obstruction occurred. During surgery, manipulation of the spine caused several episodes of loss of cardiac output. Retro spective assessment of the pre-operative chest X rays demonstrated app roximation of the sternum and thoracic vertebrae, with evidence of tra cheal narrowing at the level of the thoracic inlet. We feel that both complications were directly related to the severity of the lordoscolio sis and that careful pre-operative clinical, spirometric and X ray ass essment should be undertaken in such patients.