Caesarean section in a patient with paramyotonia congenita

Abstract

This case report details spinal anaesthesia for an elective caesarean section in a patient with the rare condition of paramyotonia congenita. There are few case reports of anaesthesia in this condition and none in the Australian anaesthetic literature. This case highlights the need for the avoidance of hypothermia and depolarizing muscle relaxants, the safety of spinal anaesthesia and a conservative approach to the management of plasma potassium concentration. The subsequent review outlines the current literature and discusses other issues involved in the anaesthetic management of this disorder.