Cervical osteotomy and manipulation in ankylosing spondylitis: successful general anesthesia after failed local anesthesia with sedation.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a disease that may deform any portion of the spine. Local anesthesia is generally recommended when undertaking corrective procedures for this problem. We present a case where local anesthesia was deemed unsatisfactory. Prior tracheal intubation facilitated the use of general anesthesia.