How Often Do You Have a Patient That Has Malignant Hyperthermia?

I was doing some research on deaths while having a breast augmentation surgery done since it's the procedure i'll be getting soon. In 2008, a 18 year old died bc of MH (malignant hyperthermia). How often does a PS come across these patients, and if it is suspected during the surgery how quickly does the PS have to react. I understand that it's rare, but now I'm terrified. How do you know if you have it?The operating surgeon was a BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON! anesthesiologist was performing.

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7 Doctor Answers | Asked by Mzjackie05 in Austin, tx

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Treating Malignant Hyperthermia

Malignant hyperthermia is a very rare complication of some medications we use during general anesthesia. Any certified surgical center, nowadays, they are required to have the medication necessary to treat malignant hyperthermia. The most important drug is called Daantrolene, it is very effective in treating malignant hyperthermia. Although the chance is very rare, if a patient chooses to have surgery in a certified facility, even if an episode of malignant hyperthermia occurs it can be... more

Complications of Cosmetic Surgery Anesthesia

Malignant Hyperthermia is exceptionally rare. In 42 years since medical school, I have never seen a case or heard of a case at any hospital where I practiced. In spite of that, every hospital has a Malignant Hyperthermia emergency kit in the OR in order to treat it if it occurs. I personally do not worry about reacting to it since I use Board Certified Anesthesiologists for any surgery where this is a possibility, including Breast Augmentation.. They are always vigilant and can react much... more

Malignant hyperthermia is rare but manageable

I have never seen one. I don't think I know of a colleague that had one, either. But every properly accredited surgical facility should have an MH kit available in case of an emergency. You can ask about your facility's MH protocols and how they go about avoiding or detecting MH. Sincerely, Martin JUGENBURG, MD

Malignant hyperthermia during breast augmentation

The incidence (rate of occurrence) of malignant hyperthermia is not known, but is relatively rare. It is a reaction to general anesthesia that is the result of a genetic defect which may be new in that patient, or can be inherited from a parent. If one parent has the defect the child has a 50 : 50 chance of being at risk, therefore any close family history of unusual reactions to general anesthesia should always be told to your surgeon and anesthesiologist. As far as I know... more

Very rare occurrence

Malignant hyperthermia is an extremely rare occurence, and I am not even certain there are exact statistics specifically for the case of breast augmentation surgeries. It can occur while having general anesthesia and has nothing to do with how well your surgeon, or your anesthesiologist for that matter, is trained or whether or not they are board certified. The important thing to know is that they would know how to identify it and treat it quickly. The usual treatment... more

Malignant Hyperthermia Risk?

Thank you for the question. Malignant hyperthermia is a rare life-threatening condition usually triggered by exposure to certain drugs used for general anesthesia. Susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia is often inherited as an autosomal dominant disorder. Malignant hyperthermia is usually revealed by anesthesia or when a family member develops the symptoms. The incidence is 1:5000 to 1;50,000-100,000 procedures involving general anesthesia... more

Malignant hyperthermia

I am very familiar with the case of which you speak as it happened in the community in which we practice. It was a tragedy and an extremely unexpected occurence. Malignant hyperthermia is extremely rare and most anesthesiologists and surgeons will have entire careers and never see it. If you are worried there are treatments available and ask the operative center if they have had MH drills and ask your anesthesiologist if theyr are familiar with the diagnosis and... more