Work

Perioperative Management of a Patient With Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome Undergoing Thyroidectomy With Bilateral Modified Neck Dissection and the Role of Dexmedetomidine: A Case Report

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is characterized by the presence of an accessory conduction pathway in the heart, predisposing patients to tachyarrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. The perioperative management of these patients poses a significant challenge to the anesthetist due to the increased risk of arrhythmias, particularly under anesthetic and surgical stress. We report the successful perioperative management of a patient with WPW syndrome undergoing thyroidectomy with bilateral modified neck dissection. The nature of the surgery increased the risk of vagal stimulation, given the proximity of the carotid sinus to the surgical field. Careful anesthetic planning and intraoperative vigilance were essential to prevent complications. Strategies included careful selection of anesthetic agents, avoidance of sympathetic and vagal stimulation, and the use of dexmedetomidine to maintain hemodynamic and rhythm stability. This case contributes to the limited literature available on the anesthetic management of WPW syndrome in the context of thyroid surgeries with neck dissection.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.94165

Authors: Sameen Ejaz, Hamood Ur Rehman, Asma Ashraf

Institution: Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center

Language: English

Topic: Anesthesia and Sedative Agents

Subfield: Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4414973882