Successful caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia in a pregnant woman with guillain–barré syndrome: a case report from a resource-limited setting

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is a rare but serious neurological condition due to autonomic instability, decreased respiratory function, and unpredictable medication responses, which can make pregnancy difficult and provide considerable anaesthetic issues. We report a case of a 23-year-old primigravida at 33 weeks of gestation who developed acute motor–sensory neuropathy consistent with GBS and subsequently required emergency caesarean delivery. In a remote healthcare setting with limited airway and ventilatory resources, spinal anaesthesia was chosen after a multidisciplinary evaluation as the patient had stable respiratory function, with no bulbar involvement, and a potentially difficult airway. The intraoperative and postoperative periods were uneventful, and no neurological deterioration was observed. This case shows that, in certain GBS parturients, spinal anaesthesia can be a safe substitute for general anaesthesia, especially in settings with limited resources. Additionally, it emphasises the management of neuromuscular illness in high-risk obstetric patients by coordinated decision-making, meticulous monitoring, and individualized assessment.