Systemic Sclerosis (Ss) is a rare autoimmune disease, characterized by deposition of extracellular collagen in multiple organs. Its etiopathogenesis is associated to vascular dysfunction and inflammation that ultimately causes connective tissue fibrosis. Etiology of Ss is not fully elucidated yet, some evidence suggest that, as many autoimmune disease, many factors may be involved in developing Ss. Human Leukocyte antigens (HLA-DR1,2,3,4,5 and HLA DQA2) are frequently involved as well as anti-nuclear antibodies, anticentromere and antinucleolar antibodies [1]. Usually Raynaud’s phenomenon is the initial symptom and precedes skin changes by less than 1 year in cases of diffuse, cutaneous Ss [2]. Abnormal collagen deposition cause skin tightening that can lead to microstomia. Pulmonary involvement is secondary to diffuse fibrosis, smooth muscle hypertrophy of pulmonary vessels resulting in pulmonary hypertension and ultimately to right heart failure. Pulmonary function tests are consistent with restrictive changes, demonstrating decreased compliance, vital capacity, and diffusion capacity. Another cardiac involvement is associated to myocardial fibrosis resulting ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction, and cardiac conduction defects, furthermore, coronary vessels become sclerotic and are prone to vasospasm.

Pre-operative evaluation should focus on skin tightening of face and oral aperture, microstomia and neck mobility should be assessed [3]. Microstomia may require fiber-optic intubation or elective tracheostomy when needed. Cardiac and pulmonary function should be assessed in order to evaluate cardiovascular function and pulmonary involvement. It is also advisable to perform pulmonary functional test to assess restrictive changes. Other anaesthetic issues are operatory room or temperature, it is mandatory to maintain OR temperature above 21°C and intravenous fluids should be warmed to avoid vasoconstriction and Raynaud phenomenon [4]. Intravenous access may be difficult due to skin thickening. There are no specific contraindications about use of anaesthetic but drugs with extensive renal metabolism should be avoided if possible, in patient with advanced kidney failure. Pregnancy may affect or deteriorate preexisting condition lowering 10 year survival rate of scleroderma patients [5]. During pregnancy, gravid uterus may accentuate symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux, a pre-existent condition in Ss. Moreover, limitation of diaphragmatic excursion may be exacerbate pre-pregnancy dyspnea. Women affected by systemic sclerosis are at greater risk of cardiac and pulmonary problems as well as renal ones. Scleroderma renal crisis rate may be increased during pregnancy, differential diagnosis should exclude pre-eclampsia. Ace inhibitor therapy, reduced incidence of scleroderma crisis but it is not recommended because when administered during first trimester of pregnancy, congenital malformations increase [6]. During second and third trimester, differentiation between pre-eclampsia or renal crisis is difficult because seizure or elevated transaminases may be present. If possible, measurement of plasma renine may rule out pre-eclampsia in which renine levels are low or normal. If SRC is indistinguishable from pre-clampsia, trial of ACE inhibitor is recommended.

Our patient was 36 years old and she was diagnosed with Ss at 16 years old, after multiple Raynaud phenomenon causing severe digital ulcers. Other physical feature was typical Mauskopf Facies characterized by multiple telangiectasias, microstomia, thin lips and pinched nose; she also had Mallampati IV secondary to poor oral aperture. In addition, patient showed severe sclerodactyly and digital ankylosis in both hands and elbow ankylosis.

Patient had a rapid progression and severity of the disease, so she underwent to an autologous transplant, an off label treatment for Ss [7].After autologous transplant, her clinical situation remained stable, HRCT did not show pulmonary fibrosis, echocardiography did not show any sign of pulmonary hypertension or diastolic dysfunction.

The patient was poorly compliant to immunosuppressant therapy, because she decided to stop cyclosporine without any medical advice to get pregnant. Nevertheless systemic sclerosis did not worse, probably due to immunomodulation during pregnancy [8].

She was admitted to hospital at 26 week of gestational for oligohydramnios and intrauterine growth retard (IUGR). During her hospital stay, conservative therapy with bed rest, hydration and periodic laboratory tests were performed.

Consultant paediatrician and obstetrician considered 32 week as an acceptable gestational age to perform potential caesarean section if clinical condition worsened. Perioperative management involved elective ultrasound-guided Central Venous Catheter placement in Left Internal Jugular vein due to skin thickness.

During her hospital stay, patient developed gestational hypertension, and then showed pre-eclamptic signs such as worsening proteinuria, peripheral edema and refractory hypertension to multimodal therapy.

Epidural anesthesia was considered as first line treatment option for caesarean section, spinal anesthesia would have been a second line option and general anesthesia with fiberoptic intubation would have been last extreme choice but was planned [9].

At 30 week gestational age, emergency caesarean section was performed for non-reassuring fetal heart rate (NRFHR). Standard monitoring was used throughout surgery including: NIBP, SpO₂ and ECG. Invasive blood pressure was not monitored because arterial access is associated with increased rate of Raynaud phenomenon in Ss. An experienced anaesthetist performed 3 attempts of epidural anesthesia in different interspaces. Epidural space was identified in each attempt but it was difficult to advance epidural catheter.

Spinal anesthesia with Hyperbaric Bupivacaine 0.5% 12 mg and Fentanyl 20 μg was performed after 3 attempts. Patient had great haemodynamic stability throughout caesarean section, moreover surgery was uneventful and a good response to oxytocin was reported. A female baby (1450 gm) was born with Apgar score 8 and 9 at 1 and 5 min. Post-operative period was uneventful, we emphasize a prolonged motor block that regressed after 4 h, we hypnotize a slow anaesthetic reabsorption due to microvascular fibrosis.

In conclusion Ss is a rare disease, nevertheless anaesthetist may encounter pregnant women in delivery room or obstetric ward because immunosuppressive therapy are more efficacy than in the past. It is important to assess severity of disease before undergoing any kind of surgery, as mentioned before, airway management and intravenous access may be challenging. Cardiac and pulmonary involvements, even in mild form are always present, so their function should be assessed. As reported, patient developed hypertension, it is advisable to make a differential diagnosis between scleroderma renal crisis and preeclampsia, signs and symptomps are mostly identical, in case of scleroderma renal crisis, and plasmatic renin would be high. Plasmatic renin is not always available so ACE-inh trial should be performed, considering pros and cons of these drugs in pregnancy.

The aim of our case report is to bring an example of spinal anesthesia in pregnant patient with severe form of scleroderma. Even if epidural anesthesia should be the first line treatment in obstetric surgery, spinal anesthesia, both in elective and in emergency situation, may be a good choice considering that epidural space may be fibrotic or distorted by abnormal fibrosis.