[Thoracic epidural anesthesia for open cholecystectomy in severe lung disease. Description of a case and review of the literature].

The incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has increased in the last decade. The anesthetic management of these patients in upper abdomen surgery is a challenge to the anesthesiologist, since general anesthesia is associated with a high possibility of severe pulmonary complications. The search for a suitable alternative has been a subject of study for years. The case is presented of a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, who required an urgent cholecystectomy. The treatment of the case and brief review of the literature is presented.