title: Perioperative methemoglobinemia.
abstract: We report a case of a male patient who underwent splenectomy for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Oxygen saturation was 92% by pulse oximetry and cyanosis was apparent during the perioperative period. Methemoglobin (metHb) levels were 10.4%. After removal of the tracheal tube, intravenous methylene blue (1 mg/kg) was administered because of persistently low SpO2 levels (87%). During preanesthetic evaluation, the patient did not inform the anesthesiologist that he had been taking dapsone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), São Paulo, Brazil. cristinacaruy@hotmail.com
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Arrivabene Caruy
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cespedes Paes
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ramalho Costa
mesh_terms: D003490:Cyanosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008708:Methemoglobinemia / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010092:Oximetry; D019990:Perioperative Care; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000601:surgery*; D013156:Splenectomy