Korean J Anesthesiol.  2008 Sep;55(3):383-386. 10.4097/kjae.2008.55.3.383.

Anesthetic management of a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): A case report

• Lee SS
• Lee JH
• Kim EJ
• Lee SG
• Ban JS
• Min BW

• KMID: 1764034
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2008.55.3.383

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disorder involving primarily motor neurons in the cerebral cortex, brain stem and spinal cord, which leads to respiratory failure and death. The impairment of respiratory function, together with weakened upper airway muscles, may affect anesthetic management. The response to muscle relaxants, either depolarizing or nondepolarizing, is also altered in patients with ALS. Patients with ALS require special care throughout the perioperative period. We experienced the anesthetic management of a 63-year-old female patient with ALS under general anesthesia without the use of muscle relaxants for closed reduction with percutaneous screw fixation to treat a right femur neck fracture.

Keyword

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; propofol; remifentanil; sevoflurane

MeSH Terms

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Anesthesia, General
Brain Stem
Cerebral Cortex
Female
Femoral Neck Fractures
Humans
Methyl Ethers
Middle Aged
Motor Neurons
Muscles
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Perioperative Period
Piperidines
Propofol
Respiratory Insufficiency
Spinal Cord
Methyl Ethers
Piperidines
Propofol