Prolonged myotonia and dystonia after general anaesthesia in a patient taking gabapentin

Abstract

This is the report of a 55-yr-old female who developed severe myotonia and dystonia after general anaesthesia. Before starting on gabapentin therapy for a neuropathic pain condition, she had undergone numerous uneventful general anaesthetics. Since receiving treatment with gabapentin, she has experienced severe movement disorders on emergence from each subsequent general anaesthetic. The events were unrelated to the choice of anaesthetic or anti-emetic. The most recent event that required a protracted stay in hospital after a day-case surgery is presented in detail, and the possible mechanisms to explain the interaction are discussed. © The Board of Management and Trustees of the British Journal of Anaesthesia 2007. All rights reserved.