Spinal anesthesia for cesarean section in a patient with systemic sclerosis associated interstitial lung disease: a case report

Systemic sclerosis or scleroderma is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by excessive fibrosis and, vasculopathy, with multiorgan involvement. Anesthetic considerations in patients with systemic sclerosis must take into account the degree of organ dysfunction as well as airway management. Regional anesthesia is a preferable alternative to general anesthesia despite the reports of prolonged sensory block. Spinal anesthesia in patients with systemic sclerosis has been reported for only one patients undergoing cesarean section. Concurrent systemic sclerosis and pregnancy raise many obstetric and anesthetic considerations. We describe the case of a pregnant patient with systemic sclerosis who had a history of dyspnea and interstitial lung disease. The cesarean section was performed uneventfully under spinal anesthesia.