Perioperative Management of a Patient with Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis: A Case Report
10.17479/jacs.2020.10.3.123
- Author:
Sung Il BAE
1
;
Yeran HWANG
;
Jongwon KIM
;
Seongyeong TAK
;
Ju-Tae SOHN
Author Information
1. Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, Korea
- Publication Type:Case Report
- From:
Journal of Acute Care Surgery
2020;10(3):123-125
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Potassium imbalances can be life-threatening and must be identified and corrected prior to surgery. Patients with hypokalemic periodic paralysis (hypoKPP) experience recurrent muscle weakness or paralysis due to hypokalemia. We present the management of a rare case of hypoKPP during surgery and discuss the general complications and perioperative management of the condition. A 70-year-old man with hypoKPP visited the emergency room with abdominal pain requiring a cholecystectomy. He had not experienced hypoKPP since 1993, 1 year after diagnosis. Preoperative examinations were normal, with a serum potassium level of 4.5 mEq/L. Surgery and recovery were uneventful, with potassium levels ≥ 3.3 mEq/L. The post-surgery serum potassium level was 4.3 mEq/L. The patient had no signs of hypokalemia until 1-week post-surgery. Thorough preoperative preparation, careful assessment of serum potassium levels, avoidance of triggering factors, and appropriate postoperative pain relief can help prevent a hypokalemic attack in patients with hypoKPP.
