Application of spinal anesthesia in a pediatric patient with Duchenne's muscular dystrophy

Duchenne's muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a neuromuscular disease with a progressive course. It is the most common and most severe muscular dystrophic disorder for which the application of anesthesia is critical, due to muscle weakness, and cardiac and pulmonary involvement. Successful application of spinal anesthesia in a 2-year-old boy with DMD undergoing bilateral inguinal hernia repair is described in the present report. It is proposed that spinal anesthesia is an effective alternative to general anesthesia in certain pediatric patients, including those with DMD, for whom general anesthesia poses increased risk.