Anesthesia and myotonic dystrophy type 2: A case series

Background: Myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) is a genetically distinct disorder that shares some phenotypical features of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). However, anesthetic management of patients with DM2 has not been described. The purpose of this study is to report the anesthetic management of a series of patients with DM2 and to describe their response to anesthesia. Methods: We performed a computerized search of the Mayo Clinic medical records database looking for patients with DM2 who underwent general anesthesia. The medical records were reviewed for anesthetic technique, medications used, and postoperative complications. Results: We identified 19 patients with DM2 who underwent 39 general anesthetics, 17 monitored anesthetic care cases, and two regional anesthetics. The patients exhibited normal responses to succinylcholine, nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers, neostigmine, induction agents, and volatile anesthetics. Serious postoperative complications related to DM2 did not occur. Conclusion: In our series, patients with DM2 tolerated commonly used anesthetics without obvious complications, and they exhibited normal responses to muscle relaxants. These observations suggest that these medications may be used safely in patients with DM2.