An unusual case of delayed recovery from spinal anesthesia in a patient with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome—a case report

Abstract

Abstract Background The Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) is a rare disorder characterized by proximal muscle weakness and autonomic dysfunction due to involvement of the neuromuscular junction A case of delayed unilateral recovery from spinal anesthesia in a patient with LEMS undergoing open cholecystectomy is described. Case presentation A 42-year-old lady, on treatment for LEMS with pyridostigmine, prednisolone, and azathioprine presented with cholelithiasis and was scheduled for open cholecystectomy. Neuraxial anesthesia combined with a light plane of general anesthesia provided adequate muscle relaxation without the use of neuromuscular blocking drugs. In spite of perioperative continuation of anticholinesterases, the patient required 12 h post-surgery for complete bilateral motor recovery from spinal anesthesia. Conclusions A combination of spinal anesthesia with a light plane of general anesthesia appears to be a safe anesthetic technique for managing patients with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome undergoing open cholecystectomy. However, neurologically asymptomatic patients with good treatment compliance may also show an unusual delay in recovery from neuraxial anesthesia.