Anesthetic management of a patient with cleidocranial dysplasia undergoing various obstetric procedures.

Patients with cleidocranial dysplasia, a rare autosomal dominant genetic syndrome, possess abnormal anatomical features of the head, mouth, neck and spinal column. These features may result in perioperative problems such as difficult airway and complicated regional anesthesia. We report the anesthetic management of a young woman with cleidocranial dysplasia undergoing four caesarean sections, one vaginal delivery and a dilatation and curettage, employing different modes of anesthesia. Anesthetic management in this disorder presents challenges for both general and neuraxial anesthesia. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.