Anesthetic management of a patient with dermatomyositis--clinical observation of the effect of muscle relaxants

A 58 year old woman suffering from dermatomyositis underwent elective surgery for spinal caries. Concerning the anesthetic management of patient suffering from dermatomyositis, there is little information on the appropriate use of muscle relaxants. It is generally suspected that the patient is sensitive to nondepolarizing muscle relaxants. Anesthesia was with oxygen-nitrous oxide and fentanyl. Pancuronium 6 mg was given intravenously after awake intubation and an additional dose of 2 mg was given after 7.3 hours. During anesthesia neuromuscular function was monitored by neuromuscular transmission monitor (Datex Relaxograph). Duration of neuromuscular block was defined as the time for the twitch height to recover from total paralysis to 25% of the control value. Duration in this patient was 3.1 hours and this was longer as compared with the values of 1.1-1.8 hours obtained in 7 control patients. It is suggested that a usual dose of muscle relaxants results in a relatively higher effect in the patients with dermatomyositis because of their diminished muscle mass. The anesthetist should be careful in using muscle relaxants. The muscle relaxants should be given to such a patient with monitoring closely the neuromuscular function using a neuromuscular transmission monitor.     

Use of sugammadex in a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative disease involving motor neurons. The anesthetic problem is increased susceptibility to non-depolarizing muscle relaxants and the feasibility of spinal and epidural anesthesia. An 86-year-old man with ALS underwent colostomy to the ileus. We chose general anesthesia with propofol, remifentanil, rocuronium and sugammadex. We administered 30 mg (0.52 mg . kg-1) of rocuronium only for induction. TOF-count was 2 at the end of operation. At spontaneous neuromuscular recovery to TOF-count 3, we administered sugammadex 2.1 mg . kg-1. The patient emerged from general anesthesia smoothly, and was extubated. Post-operative course was uneventful. Our anesthetic management of ALS patient using sugammadex was successful. Further evidence is required to establish appropriate use of sugammadex for ALS patients.     

Anaesthesia for Friedreich's ataxia. Case report

Friedreich's ataxia is an inherited neuromuscular disorder often associated with significant cardiac disease and requiring special care during anaesthesia because of increased sensitivity to muscle relaxants. We report a 37 years old female patient with Friedreich's ataxia who underwent anaesthesia for total hip replacement because of degenerative hip arthritis. Anaesthesia was induced with alfentanil and propofol. Endotracheal intubation was achieved without the use of any muscle relaxants and muscle relaxants were avoided throughout the operation. Anaesthesia was maintained with propofol infusion and intermittent bolus doses of alfentanil. At the end of the procedure recovery from anaesthesia was fast and uneventful. When there is no absolute indication for neuromuscular blocking agents as its the case for many orthopaedic operations, avoiding these drugs would simply avoid many potential complications due to muscle relaxant use in this group of patients.     

Anesthesia for laparoscopic cryptorchidpexy in a patient with congenital myopathy

A relatively high incidence of malignant hyperthermia (MH) and an unpredicted (usually increased) sensitivity to muscle relaxants are reported in patients with congenital myopathies (CM). We present a case of anesthetic management of a patient with a clinical diagnosis of CM. An 18-month-old, 11.3-kg, male patient, who had received a diagnosis of CM, was scheduled for the laparoscopic cryptorchidpexy. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and fentanyl, and the trachea was intubated without muscle relaxants. An epidural catheter was inserted via the sacral hiatus, the tip of which was located at the second lumbar level for a purpose of obtaining not only pain relief but also muscle relaxation. Anesthesia was maintained with propofol, nitrous oxide and fentanyl, combined with epidural anesthesia. The anesthetic course was uneventful with enough pain relief and good muscle relaxation.     

Total intravenous anaesthesia without muscle relaxants in a child with diagnosed Duchenne muscular dystrophy

The case of a 3 year old child, affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy, who underwent adenoidectomy and bilateral myringotomy, is reported. Total intravenous anaesthesia (propofol 1% infusion (160 micrograms kg-1min-1) and remifentanil (0.55 microgram kg-1min-1) without any muscle relaxants was used. The postoperative period was uneventful.     

Pain and nausea after bariatric surgery with total intravenous anesthesia versus desflurane anesthesia: a double blind,randomized, controlled trial

BackgroundThere is limited evidence-based knowledge regarding optimal anesthesia in obese patients.ObjectiveTo evaluate optimal anesthetic approach for patients undergoing bariatric surgery by determining and comparing peri- and postoperative outcomes in patients receiving intravenous anesthesia with propofol versus desflurane anesthesia.SettingNonacademic primary referral center.MethodsPatients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass between 2016 and 2017 were randomized into 1 of the following 2 types of anesthesia: intravenous anesthesia with propofol, or desflurane. Perioperative outcomes were registered by the operation staff. A form based on visual analog scale estimating the patient’s intensity of pain and nausea was completed postoperatively at the postoperative unit, surgical ward, and 24 to 48 hours postsurgery. The primary outcome was postoperative nausea and vomiting or postoperative pain between treatment groups. The secondary outcome was to evaluate the “time of awakening,” peritoneal stretch, and use of perioperative muscle relaxants.ResultsOne hundred eighty-three patients were randomized to receive intravenous anesthesia (n = 90) or desflurane anesthesia (n = 93). Mean time ± standard deviation of surgery for both procedures was 41 ± 17 minutes, whereas mean time of awakening was 2 ± 2 minutes for both the intravenous anesthesia and desflurane group. There was no significant difference in visual analog scale for pain or for nausea and vomiting postoperatively, nor in the number of patients receiving muscle relaxants for peritoneal stretch between the 2 groups.ConclusionsWe found no significant differences between the 2 anesthetic regimens regarding postoperative nausea and pain, awakening time, peritoneal stretch, or the use of perioperative muscle relaxants.     

Intraoperative awareness: detected by the structured Brice interview?

BACKGROUND: Awareness is a rare complication in general anesthesia, but its consequences are stressful. Efforts must be undertaken to prevent, diagnose, and, if occurring, treat it. The incidence of awareness is higher following anesthesia involving the use of muscle relaxants. As a part of a quality assurance program at our short-stay surgery all patients exposed to general anesthesia are routinely subjected to a Brice interview, which aims to evaluate our standard anesthetic technique regarding awareness. METHODS: The Brice interview was used prospectively in 5216 patients given a propofol/opioid anesthetic for day-case or short-stay surgery. Neuromuscular blocks were used only for surgical needs, not routinely. All patients were interviewed on discharge from the recovery room. A second interview, according to Brice, was undertaken by telephone 3-7 days later in the case of a notable intraoperative event, or otherwise after postoperative patient complaints. All patients were also interviewed by telephone 1-2 days postoperatively. RESULTS: None of the patient interviews indicated awareness. This was also the case in five non-relaxed patients who had an incident of light anesthesia with eye opening and gross motor response without forewarning. Neuromuscular blockade was used in 7% of patients. DISCUSSION: We were unable to detect intraoperative awareness. The anesthetic regimen, including minimal use of muscle relaxants, might be beneficial for awareness prevention. Alternatively, the diagnostic power, the timing of the Brice interview, or the number of interviews performed may be questioned.     

Continuous intrathecal administration of baclofen in severe tetanus

This is a case report involving a 71 year old man with generalized tetanus. The patient was initially treated conservatively with sedatives and muscle relaxants, which necessitated intubation and mechanical ventilation. After intrathecal administration of baclofen all cramps and spasms subsided and the patient could be weaned from the respirator and subsequently discharged from the intensive care unit.     

Anesthesia for cesarean section in a patient with spinal muscular atrophy

We describe the anesthetic management for cesarean section and tubal ligation of a 23-year-old primipara with type II spinal muscular atrophy (benign Werdnig Hoffmann). She was wheelchair-bound, had severe restrictive lung disease, and severe kyphoscoliosis, with Harrington rods extending from the thoracic to the sacral spines. A general anesthetic was given. We used propofol and alfentanil for rapid-sequence induction of anesthesia. We did not use any muscle relaxants intraoperatively. Postoperative care was provided in the intensive care unit. The patient made a good recovery.     

A case of anesthetic management using levobupivacaine in epidural anesthesia combined with general anesthesia for thymectomy with thoracoscopy for generalized type myasthenia gravis

Combined epidural and general anesthesia has become a standard anesthetic method for thymectomy. We employed levobupivacaine for epidural anesthesia combined with general anesthesia using remifentanil and sevoflurane for thymectomy with thoracoscopy for generalized type of myasthenia gravis. After decreasing the high level of antibodies to acethylcholine receptor by plasmapheresis, we could perform a stable and successful anesthetic management without the use of any muscle relaxants for the thymectomy. And a myasthenic crisis did not occur after the procedure. We concluded that levobupivacaine would be one of the appropriate options in epidural anesthesia for thymectomy for myasthenia gravis.     

Myasthenia gravis

The present review updates myasthenia gravis. Immunopathogenesis of this condition, the clinical picture and degrees of involvement according to Osserman's classification, diagnostic procedures currently available, medical treatment and repercussion on the patient who is going yo be thymectomized are discussed. We review the works of several authors as far as concern to the use of muscle relaxants in myasthenic patients, peroperative monitoring of neuromuscular blockade, anesthetic techniques to be used, analgesia and intensive care required during postoperative period.     

Recovery from neuromuscular blockade after either bolus and prolonged infusions of cisatracurium or rocuronium using either isoflurane or propofol-based anesthetics

We examined the recovery characteristics of cisatracurium or rocuronium after bolus or prolonged infusion under either isoflurane or propofol anesthesia. Sixty patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures of at least 5 h were randomized to receive either isoflurane with fentanyl (Groups 1 and 2) or propofol and fentanyl (Groups 3 and 4) as their anesthetic. Groups 1 and 3 received cisatracurium 0.2 mg/kg IV bolus, spontaneously recovered, after which time an infusion was begun. Groups 2 and 4 received rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg IV, spontaneously recovered, and an infusion was begun. Before the end of surgery, the infusion was stopped and recovery of first twitch (T(1)), recovery index, clinical duration, and train-of-four (TOF) recovery was recorded and compared among groups by using appropriate statistical methods. Clinical duration was shorter for rocuronium compared with cisatracurium using either anesthetic. Cisatracurium T(1) 75% recovery after the infusion was shorter with propofol compared with isoflurane. Cisatracurium TOF 75% recovery was similar after either bolus or infusion, but rocuronium TOF 75% recovery after the infusion was delayed. Infusion rates decreased for cisatracurium but remained relatively constant for rocuronium regardless of the anesthetic used. Isoflurane enhances the effect of both muscle relaxants but prolonged cisatracurium recovery more than rocuronium. Of the two muscle relaxants studied, rocuronium's recovery was most affected by length of the infusion. Cisatracurium may be a more desired muscle relaxant for prolonged procedures because recovery was least affected by prolonged infusion. Implications: This study describes the effect of different anesthetic techniques on the recovery of two different muscle relaxants, cisatracurium and rocuronium, when administered as either a single bolus or prolonged infusion during neurosurgery. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using these relaxants for these prolonged procedures.     

Anesthetic management of two patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

We experienced anesthetic management of two cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Case 1. A 46-year-old woman underwent emergency operation for ileus. Abdominal muscle relaxation and analgesia were obtained by combined spinal and epidural anesthesia. To avoid prolongation of muscle relaxation, awake intubation without muscle relaxants was performed. After the operation, she awoke smoothly and was extubated without any complications. Case 2. A 65-year-old woman underwent emergency operation for gastric fistula malfunction. We performed anesthetic management only with epidural anesthesia. During and after the operation, she was in good general condition and had no pain. For the patients with ALS, prolongation of muscle relaxation and residual neuromuscular block effect may cause difficult tracheal extubation and postoperative respiratory complications. We observed carefully the condition of the patients with ALS, and were able to choose the minimum invasive anesthetic methods for each case.     

Sevoflurane anesthesia in a myasthenic patient undergoing transsternal thymectomy

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease resulting from the production of antibodies against the acetylcholine receptors of the neuromuscular synapse. The thymus gland is involved in the autosensitization process, and there is a consensus that all adults with generalized MG should have a thymectomy. Removal of a much thymic tissue as possible via the transsternal approach in the logic goal of thymectomy in the treatment of MG. Because of the unpredictable response to succinylcholine and the marked sensitivity to nondepolarizing muscle relaxants in the MG patients, some anesthesiologists avoid the use of muscle relaxants in the myasthenic patients, and depend on deep inhalation anesthesia, such as halothane, isoflurane or sevoflurane. In the present report, we used sevoflurane 4%, without supplementation by muscle relaxants, for the induction and maintenance of anesthesia in a MG patient undergoing transsternal thymectomy. The report reviews the anesthetic technique, and describes the electromyographic (EMG) changes following sevoflurane.     

Postoperative neuroleptic malignant syndrome that occurred repeatedly in a patient with cerebral palsy

A wide variety of neuroleptic agents are associated with neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). However, the association between general anesthesia and NMS is uncertain. We report a case of a patient with cerebral palsy, who showed signs of NMS only after repeated general anesthesia. The patient received general anesthesia three times in a period of 9 months. The first anesthetic passed uneventfully. NMS symptoms were observed only after the second and third anesthetics. The NMS was effectively treated with IV dantrolene and the patient recovered on both occasions. Inhalational anesthetics, muscle relaxants and fentanyl were suspected as possible triggering factors for NMS. After examining the three anesthesia records and previous publications, we surmized that a nondepolarizing muscle relaxant was associated with NMS in this patient.     

Anesthetic management of spinal progressive muscle atrophy (SPMA)

The patient with spinal progressive muscle atrophy (SPMA) has many anesthetic problems; muscle atrophy, respiratory complications, hypersensitivity to non-depolarizing muscle relaxants and succinylcholine-induced hyperkalemia. Although neurological complications following spinal and epidural anesthesia have been reported in various neurologic diseases, we chose epidural anesthesia for the patient with SPMA and experienced no problems during and after the operation. We conclude that epidural anesthesia is a useful technique for the patient with SPMA.     

Anesthetic management of a patient with stiff person syndrome

We describe the successful anesthetic management of a patient with stiff-person syndrome (SPS) undergoing a right inguinal hernia repair, using a somatic paravertebral block supplemented with conscious sedation. We also present the implications of general anesthesia in patients with SPS. The use of regional anesthetic techniques in patients with SPS has the advantage of avoiding exposure to muscle relaxants. The use of general anesthesia in patients with SPS carries the risk of postoperative hypotonia due to enhancement of gamma-aminobutyric acid action on synaptic transmission by drugs that have a gamma-aminobutyric acid agonistic action.     

Anesthesia for a patient with xeroderma pigmentosum

A 23-year-old man with xeroderma pigmentosum underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. He experienced transient worsening of the neurological symptom after anesthesia with volatile agents in the previous surgery. Because volatile anesthetics potentially cause genotoxic effects in patients with xeroderma pigmentosum, this time we chose total ir.travenous anesthesia (TIVA). The intraoperative management and the post-operative course were uneventful this time. From these two anesthesia experiences in one patient, we suggest that TIVA is more appropriate than anesthesia with volatile agents as a method for general anesthesia for xeroderma pigmentosum patients. Minimum usage of muscle relaxants under the monitoring of neuromuscular blockade is also recommended, since xeroderma pigmentosum patients are sensitive to muscle relaxants due to the neuronal dysfunction and muscle     

Anesthetic considerations for parturients with primary pulmonary hypertension: review of the literature and clinical presentation

Primary pulmonary hypertension, though uncommon, is found relatively frequently in women of childbearing age and carries a high peripartum mortality. We present a patient with severe primary pulmonary hypertension who underwent two cesarean sections 3 and 6 years after the diagnosis of primary pulmonary hypertension was made. Epidural anesthesia was provided on both occasions and resulted in a good maternal and fetal outcome. We have reviewed the literature as it relates to the choice of anesthetic technique and maternal outcome in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension.