First report of malignant hyperthermia which occurred during laparoscopic surgery in Japan in a patient with typical family history

: We experienced a case of fulminant malignant hyperthermia during laparoscopic surgery, which is the first reported case of this kind. A 69-year-old man, weighing 69 kg, underwent laparoscopic colectomy for cecal colon cancer. He had a remarkable familial history of malignant hyperthermia (MH). His uncle had MH from enflurane. In addition, 6 male relatives died at operation, exercise or drinking. However, he hid it intentionally because of social concern about inheriting abnormal genes and of inadequate explanation from medical personnel. Anesthesia was induced with fentanyl 100 microg, propofol 60 mg and vecuronium 9 mg intravenousely and maintained with nitrous oxide, oxygen and sevoflurane. About 120 min after the induction of anesthesia (50 min after pneumoperitoneum), PETCO2 increased to 54 mmHg. Thirty min later, body temperature (BT), heart rate (HR), PETCO2 and airway pressure (Paw) increased rapidly to 37.5 degrees C, 92 beats x min(-1), 62 mmHg and 3/33 cmH2O, respectively. The diagnosis of MH was made. The inspiratory gas was changed to 100% O2, and a bolus of 100 mg dantrolene was given. He had BT of 39.7 degrees C, HR of 152 beats x min(-1), PETCO2 of 123 mmHg, Paw of 3/40 cmH2O at the worst point. Rise in Paw and arrhythmia turned up frequently as complications of laparoscopic surgery, but they are very similar to the first symptoms of malignant hyperthermia. The decrease in BT with CO2 pneumoperitoneum can mask symptoms of MH. Awareness of this fact is important not to delay the diagnosis.