Anesthesia for cesarean section in a patient with Guillain-Barre syndrome: Case report

Braz J Anesthesiol. 2013 Jul-Aug;63(4):369-71. doi: 10.1016/j.bjane.2012.06.002. Epub 2013 Aug 13.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Guillain-Barre syndrome during pregnancy is considered a rare neurological complication, and there is no consensus in literature for anesthetic management for cesarean section in such patients. The objective of this paper is to report the case of a pregnant woman with Guillain-Barre syndrome undergoing cesarean section.

Case report: Female patient, 22-year old, 35 weeks and 5 days of gestation, undergoing cesarean section, hospitalized, reporting decreased strength and lower limb paresthesias. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis showed increased protein (304 mg.dL(-1)) without increased cellularity. The anesthetic technique used was general anesthesia induced with propofol (1.5 mg.kg(-1)) and maintained with 2% sevoflurane in oxygen and fentanyl (3 μg.kg(-1)). The procedure was uneventful for both mother and neonate. The patient was discharged 10 days after admission, after progressive improvement of neurological symptoms.

Conclusion: The anesthetic technique for pregnant women with Guillain-Barre syndrome requiring cesarean section remains at the discretion of the anesthesiologist, who should be guided by the clinical conditions and comorbidities of each patient.

Keywords: Anesthesia; Cesarean Section; Guillain-Barre Syndrome; Obstetrical.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anesthesia, Obstetrical*
  • Cesarean Section*
  • Female
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome*
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications*
  • Young Adult