thiopental and Compartment-Syndromes

An account is given of unusual course of a hyperthermic crisis in a 23-year-old male who underwent repeated anesthetics. As yet little has been reported about Isoflurane, which we presume to have been the triggering agent. In this case only the surgically untreated lower extremity developed rigor, with which malignant hyperthermia is associated, whereas the surgically treated extremity, where circulation had been stopped with a tourniquet, remained unaffected. Rigor and contracture of the affected extremity were so severe that they led to a compartment syndrome, necessitating fasciotomy. No observation of this kind has been published before. In addition to a discussion of this dissociated effect in malignant hyperthermia, a detailed account of the course of the crisis is given.

Topics: Adult; Ankle Joint; Anterior Compartment Syndrome; Biopsy; Compartment Syndromes; Humans; Isoflurane; Ligaments, Articular; Male; Malignant Hyperthermia; Muscles; Necrosis; Rhabdomyolysis; Thiopental