Successful obstetric and anesthetic management using fluoroscopic-guided epidural anesthesia for cesarean section in a patient with achondroplasia: A case report

OBJECTIVE: Achondroplasia is a skeletal disorder characterized by shortened limbs and short stature. Pregnancy in women with achondroplasia requires individualized management due to its distinctive physical characteristics. CASE REPORT: This report describes the case of a 25-year-old woman with achondroplasia (height 115 cm) in whom cesarean section was required. Magnetic resonance imaging at 30 weeks' gestation revealed lumbar hyperlordosis and an obstetric conjugate of only 3 cm, leading to the decision to perform cesarean delivery. An elective cesarean section was performed under fluoroscopic-guided epidural anesthesia (FGEA) at 36 weeks and 4 days of gestation. FGEA was successfully administered, allowing for a pain-free cesarean section without intraoperative or postoperative complications. Achondroplasia is associated with various complications due to its physical characteristics, and the anesthetic management must be carefully tailored to the individual case. CONCLUSION: FGEA can be considered a safe and feasible mode of anesthesia in pregnant women with achondroplasia.