[Anesthesia in mitochondrial encephalomyopathies]

A 6-year-old boy with a rare mitochondrial disease (MELAS: mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, stroke-like episodes) was presented to undergo adenoid resection and bilateral paracentesis. ENT surgery was performed without complications under general anaesthesia using propofol, fentanyl, and ventilation with nitrous oxide and oxygen. Routine intraoperative monitoring (ECG, noninvasive blood pressure, oxymetry and capnometry) was supplemented by frequent body temperature measurements and repeated laboratory analysis of venous blood gases, lactate, and glucose. Clinically, the postoperative course was uneventful and the boy was discharged from hospital on the first postoperative day. Signs or symptoms of malignant hyperthermia never occurred. Laboratory analysis only showed a remarkable serum lactate elevation postoperatively (6 mmol/l) which decreased on the first postoperative day (3.7 mmol/l). The present anaesthesiologic experiences with MELAS-syndrome are limited, and recommendations are mainly based on case reports. Careful preoperative physical examination with special regard to all available medical records, and anaesthetic management comparable with that in malignant hyperthermia susceptible resulted in an uneventful course in our patient. Pathogenetic aspects of mitochondrial diseases focussing on anaesthetic considerations are briefly discussed.