Dexmedetomidine as Part of Balanced Anesthesia Care in Children With Malignant Hyperthermia Risk and Egg Allergy

Abstract

Malignant hyperthermia is an acute hypermetabolic crisis triggered in susceptible patients by the administration of succinylcholine or a volatile anesthetic agent. When anesthesia care is provided to malignant hyperthermia-susceptible patients, a total intravenous anesthesia technique with propofol is frequently chosen. However, coexisting allergies to egg and soybeans may contraindicate the use of propofol. We present our experience with the use of dexmedetomidine as part of the anesthesia regimen in 3 patients with family histories of malignant hyperthermia and personal histories of egg or soybean allergies. In 2 patients, dexmedetomidine was used as part of a general anesthesia regimen and for sedation during spinal anesthesia in the third patient. Previous reports of the use of dexmedetomidine in patients susceptible to malignant hyperthermia are reviewed, and its benefits in such patients are discussed.