Therefore, MH is a concern for any practice that utilizes general anesthesia. The honest answer is it probably can't be prevented altogether. But, if certain procedures are employed preoperatively, including preventive techniques with at-risk patients, and if an MH episode is recognized early and treated promptly, the tragic consequences of MH can be greatly reduced or avoided. All patients should be questioned as to previous personal or family experience with general anesthesia, particularly sudden death after anesthesia. MH may occur in susceptible individuals when potent inhalation anesthetics or succinylcholine are administered.
Nitrous oxide is a safe anesthetic agent.
All facilities where MH-triggering agents are administered should be prepared to treat an MH episode. Although MH is a genetic disorder, it should be noted that certain other types of patients may be at greater risk for developing MH or a syndrome resembling MH, such as the patient with muscle disease, especially muscular dystrophy. Fortunately, the short-acting nondepolarizing relaxants are not triggers and provide a relatively brief period of muscle relaxation. I ntravenous conscious sedation with local anesthesia may be safely administered to the MHS patient in the office setting for such procedures as the surgical removal of impacted third molars. Because laryngospasm may occur in the unconscious patient, and succinylcholine is contraindicated in MHS patients, a nondepolarizing muscle relaxant must be available.