Postoperative myoclonic movement following mandibular cyst enucleation under general anesthesia: A case report

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Neurology

Background:

• Postoperative myoclonic movement (PMM) is an uncommon neurologic complication.
• The precise etiology of PMM following general anesthesia (GA) remains undetermined.
• Potential triggers include anesthetic agents, psychological stress, and surgical stress.

Observation:

• This report describes a case of PMM occurring in the post-anesthetic care unit (PACU).
• The patient was apparently healthy prior to the procedure.
• The event manifested after the administration of general anesthesia.

Findings:

• The case presents a specific instance of PMM in a PACU setting.
• It underscores the unpredictable nature of PMM in patients undergoing GA.
• Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of PMM.

Implications:

• Understanding PMM triggers is crucial for improving patient safety post-anesthesia.
• This case may prompt further research into the neurophysiologic effects of GA.
• Clinical vigilance for PMM in the PACU is recommended for apparently healthy individuals.