Asian Journal of Anesthesiology

Optimize General Anesthesia for a Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Patient That Cannot Be Intubated

Author(s) Wan-Ting Chia ;Yen-Chin Liu;Tak-Wah Wong
Year of publication 2020
Volume 58
Issue 3
Name of publisher Ainosco Press & Taiwan Society of Anesthesiologists
Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) is a rare genetic skin disease characterized by blisters and ulcers on the skin and mucosa after minor friction. The risk of invasive squamous cell carcinoma on the unhealed ulcers increases with age. Tracheal intubation during general anesthesia may induce tracheal stricture due to blister formation and/or scarring in DEB patients and cause severe airway obstruction. There is no consensus for handling DEB patients' fragile mucosa and skin during general anesthesia. We report an adult DEB patient who received two operations under different general anesthesia methods. The experience from this particular patient and her response to anesthesia may provide a satisfactory guide to avoid complications and improve the outcome for DEB patients receiving general anesthesia.