[Malignant hyperthermia during cataract extraction in an elderly patient]

The case of a 67-year-old patient who suffered an episode of malignant hyperthermia during the extraction of a cataract is described. The outcome was favourable in spite of the lack of sodium dantrolene. Twenty months later the patient was operated on the contralateral eye with local anesthesia presenting no complications. It is worthy of note that the rareness of the syndrome in this age group and in this type of surgery, as well as the probable safeness of local anesthetics in susceptible patients. We also comment on the lack of sodium dantrolene and the nonexistence of a center facilitating information and diagnosis of malignant hyperthermia in our country.