Regional anaesthesia in a Duchenne muscular dystrophy patient for upper extremity amputation

Abstract

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common of the neuromuscular disorders. DMD is usually a challenge for the anaesthesiologist, with poor cardiac function, a high risk of developing rhabdomyolysis, and the probable life-threatening complications of general anaesthesia. To avoid possible morbidity associated with general anaesthesia, we applied a supraclavicular blockade. In this report, we present a 17-year-old DMD patient with a massive rhabdomyosarcoma, for whom a left arm amputation was indicated. In the post-operative period, a malignant hyperthermia-like reaction occurred, which resolved in a short time. We suggest a regional blockade as a safer alternative to general anaesthesia for the management of high risk DMD patients during orthopedic procedures.