Nonmalignant hyperthermia on induction of anesthesia in a pediatric patient undergoing bidirectional Glenn procedure

Perioperative temperature elevation: not all hyperthermia is malignant hyperthermia

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this review is to assist the readers, anesthesiologists, intensivists, and emergency physicians in making a more accurate diagnosis of perioperative fever or hyperthermia and subsequently choose the proper course of treatment.

AIM

To identify the many sources of perioperative fever and after a more accurate differential diagnosis, select appropriate treatment options. Most anesthesiologists, intensivists, and emergency physicians are not familiar with an expansive differential of perioperative fever. This article attempts to expose these physicians to that differential diagnosis.

BACKGROUND

Much of the medical literature has anecdotal reports, small case series, or limited reviews of the possible sources of hyperthermia or fever. This is especially true of the anesthesia literature.

RESULTS

A literature search was performed which identified many possible common and uncommon sources of fever. Some of these sources are quite relevant to the anesthesiologist. Other sources had potential relevance in obscure cases.

Anesthetic management of a neonate with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita for emergency laparotomy

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita is a rare disease, characterized by non-progressive, multiple joint contractures since birth. Anesthetic issues include difficult intravenous access, difficult airway management and regional anesthesia. We report the anesthetic management of a six-day-old neonate presenting to the emergency with features of intestinal obstruction, who was detected for the first time to have arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. General anesthesia along with caudal analgesia for peroperative and postoperative pain relief was used. There was an episode of intraoperative hyperthermia, which was tackled successfully. The child had an uneventful post-anesthesia recovery.

Anesthesia considerations for patients with de Barsy syndrome

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To determine anesthetic considerations for patients with de Barsy syndrome, a rare complex whose hallmark findings include cutis laxa, progeria, and multiple orthopedic and ophthalmologic abnormalities.

DESIGN

Retrospective chart review.

SETTING

Medical center.

MEASUREMENTS

A search of Mayo Clinic medical records from 1968 to 2007 identified two patients with de Barsy syndrome who underwent a combined total of 35 anesthetics for diagnostic and surgical procedures. Data collected included: age, gender, ASA physical status, relevant comorbidities, surgical procedures, airway management, vascular access, monitoring, anesthetic induction, maintenance, and other observations.

MAIN RESULTS

A wide range of anesthetics and techniques were used. Apart from 4 episodes of intraoperative hyperthermia and postoperative tachycardia, no complications were noted. These episodes may be similar to the nonmalignant hyperthermia reported in osteogenesis imperfecta and Costello syndrome patients.

CONCLUSIONS

While the safety of any anesthetic technique cannot be established or extrapolated from a small series, given the extreme rarity of the syndrome, these cases suggest the relative safety of anesthesia in de Barsy syndrome patients.