Anaesthesia and acute dermatomyositis/polymyositis

The anaesthetic management of two patients with severe muscle weakness--one suffering from acute dermatomyositis, the other from acute polymyositis--is described. Both patients presented for surgery for malignancy. Anaesthesia was induced with etomidate in one, thiopentone in the other. Alfentanil was used for analgesia and atracurium for muscle paralysis in both. Neuromuscular blockade was monitored using a peripheral nerve stimulator and no problems were experienced. Recovery of neuromuscular transmission and ventilatory function after operation were normal.