[The use of rocuronium in a patient with Becker muscular dystrophy]

We report a case of thoracoscopic pulmonary resection for pneumothorax in a patient with Becker muscular dystrophy The sensitivity of nondepolarizing muscle relaxant in a patient with muscle dystrophy is reportedly higher than in a patient without muscle disease, and the duration of the effect is known to be prolonged. In a 26-year-old man (height 160 cm, weight 39 kg) with Becker muscular dystrophy, general anesthesia was induced with target controlled infusion of propofol (3.0 microg x ml(-1)) and 0.4 microg x kg(-1) of min(-1) of remifentanil. A small amount of rocuronium was also administered additionally until TOF ratio reached to 0%. Total amount of rocuronium was 20 mg (0.5 mg x kg(-1)) for intubation with a double-lumen tracheal tube. The duration of surgery was 68 min. We confirmed 84% recovery of TOF ratio 90 min after injection of rocuronium, and extubated the patient without reversal of rocuronium. We found that the maximum concentration in the plasma or effective site (Cp/Ce) of rocuronium was reached at the time of intubation.