Unsuccessful tracheal intubation in a patient with Kniest dysplasia undergoing repeated general anesthesia: a case report

Background Kniest dysplasia is a type of chondrodysplasia characterized by severe craniofacial abnormalities including tracheomalacia, midface hypoplasia, and cleft palate. Case presentation We previously described a 6-year-old girl with Kniest dysplasia, in whom glottic edema rapidly developed after tracheal intubation. At the age of 13 years, a reoperation was scheduled to correct talipes equinovarus but was subsequently canceled due to failure of tracheal intubation and subsequent glottic edema. Airway evaluation by endoscopy and computed tomography 1 month later revealed severe laryngeal narrowing. Therefore, the second anesthesia was maintained with spinal anesthesia combined with sciatic nerve block without tracheal intubation. Conclusion Careful perioperative airway evaluation is required in patients with Kniest dysplasia, and alternative strategies for airway management other than tracheal intubation should be considered.