Propofol Exposure Precipitating a Functional Movement Disorder: A Case Report.

Abstract

Drug-induced movement disorders are a rare but distressing complication of many anesthetic agents. When such reactions occur, it is difficult to identify a causative agent. We report a case of recurrent ataxia, dysarthria, chorea, and tremors following multiple anesthetics in a 32-year-old patient with a history of significant postoperative nausea and vomiting. Over the course of four anesthetics, the exclusion of propofol, along with collaborative planning via a biopsychosocial approach, prevented the onset of a functional movement disorder. Therefore, for the first time, we highlight a case of functional movement disorder precipitated by intraoperative propofol.