Anesthetic management of a patient with multiple sclerosis (MS) includes
ExplanationMS is characterized by progressive demyelination in the brain and spinal cord. Stress, anesthesia, and surgery can have detrimental effects on the course of the disease. Elective surgery should be avoided in acute relapse of MS. Regarding the effect of anesthetic technique on MS, spinal anesthesia can exacerbate MS symptoms, epidural anesthesia usually does not affect MS, succinylcholine should be avoided to prevent hyperkalemia, and hyperthermia should be avoided as an increase in temperature may block nerve conduction. Advanced MS may be associated with autonomic dysfunction.
