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Sevoflurane as a sole anaesthetic for thymectomy in myasthenia gravis
Author(s) -
Kiran U.,
Choudhury M.,
Saxe.,
Kapoor P.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
acta anaesthesiologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1399-6576
pISSN - 0001-5172
DOI - 10.1034/j.1399-6576.2000.440324.x
Subject(s) - myasthenia gravis , medicine , sevoflurane , thymectomy , anesthesia , neuromuscular monitoring , muscle relaxant , thymoma , neuromuscular blocking agents , halothane , muscle weakness , neuromuscular junction , surgery , neuromuscular blockade , neuroscience , biology
Myasthenia gravis is a challenging situation for anaesthesiologists due to its neuromuscular involvement. The main concerns are respiratory muscle weakness and side effects due to a heavy dose of anticholinesterases. This limits the use of sedatives, hypnotics and muscle relaxants. Inhalational anaesthetics are best suited. We describe our experience with sevoflurane as a sole anaesthetic in a child having juvenile‐type myasthenia gravis with thymoma, who underwent thymectomy by midsternal incision. Very smooth and short duration of induction (35 s) and easy intubation within 60 s without use of muscle relaxant were the remarkable features. Sevoflurane in oxygen and nitrous oxide (MAC=0.5–0.7) was used for maintenance of anaesthesia. Recovery was smooth and fast with no residual respiratory insufficiency. Hence we found sevoflurane to be a highly suitable agent for thymectomy in mysthenia gravis.