Anaesthetic management of a patient with Becker's muscular dystrophy undergoing orthopaedic surgery: A case report

Abstract

Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) is an inherited congenital muscular disorder caused due to mutation 
in the dystrophin gene. Clinical presentation includes progressive muscle loss and variable weakness 
involving primarily the proximal lower limb muscles. BMD has a milder disease course compared to 
Duchenne Muscular dystrophy; but as the disease progresses patients invariably develop cardiac failure 
and less commonly respiratory failure. Anaesthetic management of patients with BMD are challenging to 
the anaesthesiologist due to the risk of malignant hyperthermia, rhabdomyolysis, hyperkalaemia, cardiac 
arrhythmia and respiratory failure.