Anaesthetic management of a child with dermatomyositis

Abstract

A two years, ten months old male with dermatomyositis was anaesthetized with enflurane, nitrous oxide and oxygen by mask followed by intravenous succinylcholine to facilitate endotracheal intubation. The evoked thumb twitch in response to succinylcholine demonstrated an abnormal, short-lived contracture. The depresion, duration and return to control of muscle twitch tension and a transient rise in serum potassium concentration followed a normal pattern. © 1986 Canadian Anesthesiologists.