Anesthetic Management in an Adult Case of Prader-Willi Syndrome Associated with Restrictive Ventilatory Impairment

We report a case of Prader-Willi syndrome in a 31-year-old man with marked restrictive ventilatory impairment who underwent ophthalmologic surgery. Although upper airway obstruction occurred following intravenous administration of fentanyl, it was easily improved by mask ventilation. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane and the operation was performed successfully. A study suggests that adult patients with Prader-Willi syndrome also have abnormalities in pulmonary function due to respiratory muscle weakness. Therefore special attention must be paid during anesthetic management even in adult patients with Prader-Willi syndrome.