Anesthetic management of a repeatedly operated patient with extrahepatic portal hypertension: Сase report

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The use of high doses of opioids and general anesthetics can cause unwanted side effects that directly affect the patient's recovery and his psycho-emotional and social well-being. In this regard, the general anesthesia method enables the dose reduction of general anesthetics and opioid analgesics. This is relevant, especially in children with concomitant thrombocytopenia, in whom epidural blockade is contraindicated.
 CASE REPORT: This article describes using the alpha-2-adrenergic agonist, dexmedetomidine, for anesthesia in a 16-year-old girl during corrective surgery for extrahepatic portal hypertension after several previous operations. Using the selective alpha-2-adrenergic agonist, dexmedetomidine, for general anesthesia produced effective and stable pain relief intraoperatively and rapid recovery of spontaneous breathing and consciousness after anesthesia. The total dose of intraoperative consumption of fentanyl compared with previously performed anesthesia was less than two times, and sevoflurane by 30%, while maintaining adequate anesthetic protection.
 CONCLUSION: During surgical interventions, it is impossible to perform epidural anesthesia in patients with thrombocytopenia with extrahepatic portal hypertension. The centrally acting alpha-2-agonist, dexmedetomidine, may be used to reduce the doses of anesthetics and opioid analgesics used.