Spinal Surgery- Use of Dexmedetomidine for Myasthenia Grvis - A Case Report

Abstract

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic autoimmune disease in which autoantibodies destroy acetylcholine receptors at motor end plat of neuromuscular junction which prevent skeletal muscle depolarization and contraction, causes muscle weakness and tiredness upon exertion with a tendency to be subsided after taking some rest or after taking anticholinesterase medication. Symptoms of progression of MG include the involvement of upper and lower extremities and muscle weakness that leads to inability in doing basic motor functions. The diagnosis of myasthenia gravis includes sign and symptoms, clinical examination and laboratory investigation of serum autoantibody (AChR autoantibodies) implicated in the disease pathology. Surgical procedures under general anesthesia in a patient with MG could be very challenging for an anesthetist because of pathophysiological manifestations of the disease. We report a case of a patient undergoing 4 level spinal fixation with coexistent myasthenia gravis (according to Osserman II B), requiring general anesthesia for spinal surgery in prone position. Myasthenia gravis affects the neuromuscular junction that is why it has a great significance of interest for the anesthetist.