[Use of sugammadex in a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis]

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative disease involving motor neurons. The anesthetic problem is increased susceptibility to non-depolarizing muscle relaxants and the feasibility of spinal and epidural anesthesia. An 86-year-old man with ALS underwent colostomy to the ileus. We chose general anesthesia with propofol, remifentanil, rocuronium and sugammadex. We administered 30 mg (0.52 mg . kg-1) of rocuronium only for induction. TOF-count was 2 at the end of operation. At spontaneous neuromuscular recovery to TOF-count 3, we administered sugammadex 2.1 mg . kg-1. The patient emerged from general anesthesia smoothly, and was extubated. Post-operative course was uneventful. Our anesthetic management of ALS patient using sugammadex was successful. Further evidence is required to establish appropriate use of sugammadex for ALS patients.