Abstract: Objective To evaluate the airway management among patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Method 171 patients who had orthopedic operations due to ankylosing spondylitis from January 2004 to December 2014 were enrolled. Result 96.5% of patients were operated under general anesthesia. The percentage of Cromack grade III and IV using Macintosh laryngoscopy and Glidescope were 9.6% and 6.6%, respectively. 90.6% patients were successfully intubated with first attempt. 9 patients had to change intubation devices and 2 had difficult mask ventilation. 5 patients received epidural and or spinal anesthesia and one of them had to change to general anesthesia because of incomplete block. Conclusion Patients with ankylosing spondylitis are at high risk of difficult airway due to the rigidity of spine and joints. Comprehensive preoperative evaluation and preparation, detailed anesthetic plan and decreasing complications are important for this specific group of patients.

Key words: ankylosing spondylitis, airway management, difficult airway