Anesthetic management in epidermolysis bullosa: review of 129 anesthetic episodes in 32 patients.

Abstract

Anesthetic and monitoring instrumentations such as endotracheal intubation may cause skin and mucosal damage with potentially serious consequences in patients with epidermolysis bullosa (EB). This study defines the risks of skin and mucosal damage from anesthetic and monitoring techniques in patients with EB and formulates management guidelines. We retrospectively analyzed the outcome of 129 anesthetic episodes in 32 patients with various types of EB. Serious complications did not occur in any patient with EB from the use of endotracheal intubation, face mask, nerve blocks, local anesthetics, and intravenous or intramuscular anesthetic agents. With appropriate precautions, patients with EB can undergo standard anesthetic techniques with only minor and infrequent complications.