Myotonia and neuromuscular blocking agents

Abstract

On the basis of experiences with 3 patients, it is concluded that the response of patients who have myotonia to nondepolarizing muscle relaxants appears normal; patients who have myotonia are more likely than healthy subjects to have apnea after administration of sedative or anesthetic drugs; the use of depolarizing relaxants in patients who have myotonia is hazardous because marked generalized contracture of skeletal muscle may develop, preventing adequate airway maintenance and ventilation.