Life threatening medullary injury following adenoidectomy and local anesthetic infiltration of the operative bed.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To draw attention to a rare, life threatening complication of a rather common procedure, namely medullary injury following adenoidectomy and local anesthetic infiltration of the operative bed. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: A tertiary pediatric critical care unit. PATIENT A healthy 7-year-old girl underwent adenoidectomy and local anesthetic infiltration of the adenoid bed with lidocaine and adrenaline. In the recovery room, nystagmus, dysarthria, dyspnea, inability to cough and right hemiparesis were noticed. Because of her inability to remove secretions tracheal intubation was performed, followed by severe, life threatening respiratory failure. INTERVENTIONS: Tracheal intubation, hemodynamic support, prolonged mechanical ventilation, nitric oxide, and tracheostomy. CONCLUSION: In children, local anesthetic infiltration of the adenoid bed may cause life-threatening medullary injury and its routine use should be re-considered.