[Malignant hyperthermia and appendicular sepsis. Can they be differentiated during surgical procedure?].

OBJECTIVE

To assess the possibility to differentiate clinically intraoperative malignant hyperthermia (MH) and sepsis.

METHODS

Comparative retrospective study of clinical cases.

METHODS

Sixteen patients operated on for acute appendicitis and developing clinical signs of MH confirmed or not by in vitro caffeine halothane contracture tests (IVCT).

METHODS

To isolate the patients' characteristics with regard to the diagnosis of sepsis and MH crisis. To compare both groups of clinical features with results of IVCT.

RESULTS

The diagnosis of MH sensitivity has been excluded in ten hyperthermic patients and confirmed in four others with IVCT. No correlation was existing between the importance of perioperative sepsis, MH features and IVTC results.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirmed the difficulty to differentiate clinically MH and sepsis during surgery. Considering the severe outcome of MH crisis, it is recommended to start the specific therapy even in case of appendicular sepsis.