Anaesthesia induced rhabdomyolysis--a case report

Anaesthesia-induced rhabdomyolysis (AIR) is a rare but serious complication of general anaesthesia. We report the occurrence of this event in a previously healthy three-year-old male, with a strongly positive family history of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Following an uneventful anaesthetic, which included succinylcholine, myoglobinuria developed and led to renal failure which fortunately reversed with conservative treatment. Based on review of reports of similar cases, it is clear that succinylcholine should be avoided in paediatric patients with known myopathy or at high risk for latent myopathy.