Airway management changes in patients with mucopolysaccharidoses: the role of video laryngoscopy

Airway management of a child with mucopolysaccharidosis undergoing cervical spine surgery: A case report

"Mucopolysaccharidosis" (MPS) is a rare, autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease characterized by deficiencies in 11 different lysosomal enzymes involved in the metabolism of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) leading to its accumulation, the condition which results in anatomic abnormalities and multi-organ dysfunction that increases the risk of anesthesia complications. The patterns of accumulation form the basis of MPS classification into seven types of progressive diseases. Most of the MPS types have facial and oral characteristics that increase the risk of airway management. We are reporting a case of MPS with a challenging airway, an 11-years-old boy diagnosed with MPS type VI with a prominent facial character planned for cervical spine fixation versus decompression, successfully managed with fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) guided by video laryngoscopy (VL).

Endoscopic and Image Analysis of the Airway in Patients with Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IVA

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) is a hereditary disorder arising from lysosomal enzymes deficiency, with glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) storage in connective tissues and bones, which may compromise the airway. This retrospective study evaluated patients with MPS type IVA with airway obstruction detected via endoscopy and imaging modalities and the effects of surgical interventions based on symptoms. The data of 15 MPS type IVA patients (10 males, 5 females, mean age 17.8 years) were reviewed in detail. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FB) was used to distinguish adenotonsillar hypertrophy, prolapsed soft palate, secondary laryngomalacia, vocal cord granulation, cricoid thickness, tracheal stenosis, shape of tracheal lumen, nodular deposition, tracheal kinking, tracheomalacia with rigid tracheal wall, and bronchial collapse. Computed tomography (CT) helped to measure the deformed sternal angle, the cross-sectional area of the trachea, and its narrowest/widest ratio (NW ratio), while angiography with 3D reconstruction delineated tracheal torsion, kinking, or framework damage and external vascular compression of the trachea. The NW ratio correlated negatively with age (p < 0.01), showing that airway obstruction progressed gradually. Various types of airway surgery were performed to correct the respiratory dysfunction. MPS type IVA challenges the management of multifactorial airway obstruction. Preoperative airway evaluation with both FB and CT is strongly suggested to assess both intraluminal and extraluminal factors causing airway obstruction.

The Anesthetic Strategy for Patients with Mucopolysaccharidoses: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Anesthesia for patients with mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) is quite challenging due to vital systemic dysfunction following progressive accumulation of lysosomal glycosaminoglycans. Previous studies focused on perioperative difficult airway management under general anesthesia but rarely depicted the concern of choosing the size of the endotracheal tube (ETT) as well as neuraxial anesthesia. This study aimed to analyze the overall anesthetic management and related complications for a thorough anesthetic strategy. Within the study period from 2002 to 2021, each record of the anesthetic and perioperative quality assurance/improvement system for patients with a diagnosis of MPS at MacKay Memorial Hospital was retrospectively reviewed. A total of 51 individuals with 151 anesthesia for 163 interventions were cohort studied, and there were 136 general anesthesia and 15 neuraxial anesthesia. We found that the most common interventions for MPS patients were otolaryngological surgeries (49.6%). Additionally, a secured airway played a marked preference for the most general anesthesia (87.1%). The incidence of difficult intubation was 12.5%. In view of ETT size, a smaller than estimated size was used in MPS type II, III, IV, and VI patients and also in patients who received intubation with multiple attempts. However, a larger than estimated size of ETT was adopted whilst choosing cuffed ones. For neuraxial anesthesia, two failed spinal anesthesia procedures were converted to general anesthesia and 73 percent of the patients received perioperative sedation. In conclusion, through the individualized anesthetic strategy and build-up of an experienced team for airway management, high-quality anesthesia can be ensured in each patient.

Advanced Techniques for Securing Airway in Mucopolysaccharidoses and the Impact of New Therapeutic Approaches

Airway management in patients suffering from mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) is one of the most difficult anesthesiologic challenges. MPS is a group of rare, inherited diseases caused by the absence or malfunctioning of lysosomal enzymes needed to break down macromolecules called glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). MPS is associated with clinical symptoms and physical features, which all together contribute to the high incidence of difficulty in providing airway during surgical procedures. We used PubMed as our main database (PubMed Advanced Search Builder) to search for relevant literature. At first, we looked for the prevalence of MPS worldwide. Then, we searched for airway management complications in the MPS population using the keywords: “Mucopolysaccharidoses,” “Anesthesia complications,” and “airway management.” Another search was carried out to look for new therapeutic agents and explore their impacts on body organs. We reviewed the finalized articles to explore how anesthesiologists used different airway techniques. We discovered that video laryngoscope and I-gel aided fiber-optic intubation have been available in recent years and have been used uneventfully in several patients. We presented recommendations regarding preoperative and intraoperative preparation to avoid airway-related complications in the future. We realized that many therapy approaches had been suggested, especially after further understanding of the pathophysiology of MPS. However, more investigation needs to be conducted to determine their efficacy and explore if there is any impact on airway management.

Anesthesia for patients with mucopolysaccharidoses: Comprehensive review of the literature with emphasis on airway management

Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are rare, inherited, lysosomal storage diseases that cause accumulation of glycosaminoglycans, resulting in anatomic abnormalities and organ dysfunction that can increase the risk of anesthesia complications. We conducted a systematic review of the literature in order to describe the anesthetic management and perioperative outcomes in patients with MPS. We reviewed English-language literature search using an OVID-based search strategy of the following databases: 1) PubMed (1946-present), 2) Medline (1946-present), 3) EMBASE (1946-present), and 4) Web of Science (1946-present), using the following search terms: mucopolysaccharidosis, Hurler, Scheie, Sanfilippo, Morquio, Maroteaux, anesthesia, perioperative, intubation, respiratory insufficiency, and airway. The review of the literature revealed nine case series and 27 case reports. A substantial number of patients have facial and oral abnormalities posing various challenges for airway management, however, evolving new technologies that include videolaryngoscopy appears to substantially facilitate airway management in these patients. The only type of MPS that appears to have less difficulty with airway management are MPS III patients, as the primary site of glycosaminoglycan deposition is in the central nervous system. All other MPS types have facial and oral characteristics that increase the risk of airway management. To mitigate these risks, anesthesia should be conducted by experienced anesthesiologists with expertise in using of advanced airway intubating devices.