\n
\n
The airway management of MPS patients is perhaps the most complicated in paediatric anaesthesiology due to the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) in the tissues. This can lead to anatomical alterations and obstructions at different levels of the airway, creating difficulties not only for orotracheal intubation, but also for face mask ventilation.<\/p>\n
Airway involvement is greater in MPS types I, II, IV and VI, but less frequent in MPS III. With the implementation of enzyme replacement therapy, a later onset of these alterations has been observed which improves airway management in these patients. Even so, all patients with MPS should be considered as having a difficult airway until proven otherwise.<\/p>\n
Bear in mind that airway involvement progresses throughout the patient\u2019s life; therefore, the older the patient, the greater the likelihood of airway management difficulty. In addition, patients without intubation difficulty may develop the complication over time.<\/p>\n
Airway disorders in MPS, by type<\/strong><\/p>\n \n \n \n \n