Preoperative considerations and recommendations for anesthetic management in patients with Duchenne dystrophy disorders

Abstract

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by the lack of functional dystrophin protein. Improvements in patient care and disease management may increase the quality of life, but currently, there is no treatment to stop the relentless loss of muscle tissue and function. This condition is associated with life-threatening perioperative complications including heart failure, respiratory insufficiency, rhabdomyolysis, and hyperkalemia. We reviewed the relevant literature about the preoperative evaluation and the safer anesthetic techniques used in patients with DMD. This article presents a short review of the anesthetic procedures to be followed in patients with DMD.