Abstract
We should be aware of lithium poisoning and side effects when we perform general anesthesia for patients taking this drug. Perioperatively it is important to take much care concerning interactions with anesthetics, abnormal ECG, renal dysfunction, and electrolyte unbalance. Therefore it is necessary to measure the perioperative serum lithium level and to consider whether lithium treatment should be discontinued. Operatively we should evaluate the effects of muscle relaxants by monitoring the degree of neuromuscular blockade, manage appropriate infusion by measuring electrolyte, especially serum sodium levels, and be careful not to give overdosages of anesthetics.
We managed successful general anesthesia for tumor extirpation in a patient taking lithium by measuring the perioperative serum lithium level and paying attention to interactions between lithium and the drugs administered. Moreover, we managed infusion carefully to avoid electrolyte unbalance and monitored neuromuscular function in addition to routine monitoring.
