Re: oral surgery & Dantrolene

[Guest guest]

Dantrolene is a muscle relaxant used to counteract malignant

hyperthermia events. Overall, MH is a rare occurrence in the

population. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malignant_hyperthermia

In the surgical setting, MH can be precipitated by certain inhalation

anesthetics and other injected muscle relaxants commonly used in

general anesthesia. Generally speaking though, none of these meds

are likely to be used in an oral surgeon's operatory; my opinion is

based on the type and duration of these surgeries as well as the

experience of the supporting staff.

If there is cause to believe that MH may be a problem, the oral

surgeon's office is not the place to have teeth removed. An MH

crisis requires a lot of personnel support, lots of ice, and LOTS of

dantrolene.

While MH is a rare occurrence, even with those of us with

dystrophies, you should ask that the oral surgeon consult with an

anesthesiologist about MH. Alternatively, a local anesthetic with IV

sedation may be an option.

In 20+ years in the OR, I was never involved with or even around an

actual case of MH. The closest I ever came was when a patient with a

familial history of MH had surgery; the patient was from a small

rural community with a great deal of inbreeding. We were prepared

but the surgery and recovery were uneventful.

[Guest guest]

Thank you ORNurse