Patients with myotonic dystrophy presenting for surgery are exposed to the adverse effects of anaesthetics, especially if the condition has not been diagnosed. Respiratory depression due to increased sensitivity to anaesthetic and opioid drugs is of major concern in patients undergoing major surgery. Meticulous pre- and postoperative management, including pain management, is necessary to avoid morbidity and mortality.
BennunM., GoldsteinB., FinkelsteinY., JedeikinR.Continuous propofol anaesthesia for patients with myotonic dystrophy.Br J Anaesth2000; 85: 407–409.
3.
MerefieldD.C., HainesM.T.Anaesthesia for laparoscopic surgery in myotonic dystrophy.Anaesth Intensive Care1997; 25: 93–94.
4.
BoulyA., NathanN., FeissP.Propofol in myotonic dystrophy.Anaesthesia1991; 46: 705.
5.
JenkinsJ.A., FacerE.K.Anesthetic management of a patient with myotonic dystrophy for a Nissen fundoplication and gastrostomy.Paediatr Anaesth2004; 14: 693–696.
6.
ColovicV., WalkerR.W.Myotonia dystrophica and spinal surgery.Paed Anaesth2002; 12: 351–355.
7.
BirdT.D.Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1. In: GeneReviews. University of Washington, Seattle. http://www.geneclinics.org/. Accessed Nov 2005.
8.
AdamsC.Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1.In: GeneReviews.Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles. http://www.geneclinics.org/. Accessed Aug 2001
9.
SwashM., SchwartzM.Neuromuscular diseases: a practical approach to diagnosis and management.3rd ed.Springer, London1997.
Gardner-MedwinD.Clinical features and classification of the muscular dystrophies.Br Med Bull1980; 36: 109–115.
12.
MathieuJ., AllardP., GobeilG., GirardM., De BraekeleerM., BeginP.Anesthetic and surgical complications in 219 cases of myotonic dystrophy.Neurology1997; 49: 1646–1650.
13.
BoyleR.Antenatal and preoperative genetic and clinical assessment in myotonic dystrophy.Anaesth Intensive Care1999; 27: 301–306.
14.
WoolfC.J., ChongM.S.Preemptive analgesia—treating postoperative pain by preventing the establishment of central sensitization.Anesth Analg1993; 77: 362–379.
15.
MacintyreP.E., SchugS.A., ScottD.A.Acute pain management: the evidence grows. An Australian document now has an important role in acute pain management worldwide.Med J Aust2006; 184: 101–102.
16.
NightingaleP., HealyT.E., McGuinnessK.Dystrophia myotonica and atracurium.Br J Anaesth1985; 57: 1131–1135.
17.
PierceJ.W., CreamerB., MacDermotV.Pharynx and oesophagus in dystrophia myotonica.Gut1965; 6: 392–395.
18.
ImisonA.R.Anaesthesia and myotonia—an Australian experience.Anaesth Intensive Care2001; 29: 34–37.