Anesthetic Management of an Elderly Patient With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Undergoing Spinal Surgery

Authors

Sarah Kadado, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine Medical Student
Eric Battista, Corewell Health East Resident
Roy Soto, Corewell Health East

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

10-11-2025

Abstract

We present an elderly male patient with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) evaluated preoperatively for spinal surgery. Given his restrictive lung disease and elevated risk of respiratory complications, the pulmonology team recommended a Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) to minimize airway trauma. However, due to the need for prone positioning during spinal surgery, the anesthetic team determined that an LMA would not provide sufficient airway protection and opted for an alternative approach. This case illustrates the complex decision-making involved in airway management for patients with severe pulmonary disease undergoing high-risk procedures and discusses strategies to balance pulmonary risk with surgical safety.

Comments

American Society of Anesthesiologists, The Anesthesiology Annual Meeting, October 10-14, 2025, San Antonio, TX

Recommended Citation

Kadado S, Battista E, Soto R. Anesthetic management of an elderly patient with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis undergoing spinal surgery. Presented at: American Society of Anesthesiologists, The Anesthesiology Annual Meeting; 2025 Oct 11;San Antonio, TX. Available from:https://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/#!/21028/presentation/9733