Anesthetic management in epidermolysis bullosa: review of 129 anesthetic episodes in 32 patients.

Background: Anesthetic and monitoring instrumentations such as endotracheal intubation may cause skin and mucosal damage with potentially serious consequences in patients with epidermolysis bullosa (EB).
Objective: This study defines the risks of skin and mucosal damage from anesthetic and monitoring techniques in patients with EB and formulates management guidelines.
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the outcome of 129 anesthetic episodes in 32 patients with various types of EB.
Results: Serious complications did not occur in any patient with EB from the use of endotracheal intubation, face mask, nerve blocks, local anesthetics, and intravenous or intramuscular anesthetic agents.
Conclusion: With appropriate precautions, patients with EB can undergo standard anesthetic techniques with only minor and infrequent complications.