The use of an ultrasound-guided popliteal block for hallux valgus surgery in a patient with myasthenia gravis

Abstract

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease which affects neuromuscular transmission, causing muscle fatigue and weakness(1).The myasthenic patients are always a challenge to the anesthesiologist, because they demonstrate various responses to the neuromuscular blocking agents. The post-operative risk of respiratory failure has always been a matter of concern (2, 3). We report a successful use of the ultrasound guided popliteal block for elective foot surgery in a 46-year old woman with MG, showing that this regional anesthesia technique, by avoiding the use of neuromuscular blocking agents, provided safe care for this patient