Korean J Anesthesiol.  2023 Aug;76(4):383-388. 10.4097/kja.23034.

Catatonia associated with prolonged stupor after general anesthesia in a patient with multiple neuropsychiatric disorders -a case report-

• Baek S
• Heo MH
• Kim KW
• Lee SI
• Kim KT
• Park JS
• Choe WJ
• Kim JH
• Kim JY

• KMID: 2544557
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kja.23034

Abstract

Background
Delayed emergence after general anesthesia may significantly affect a patient’s condition. We present the case of a patient who experienced prolonged delayed recovery of consciousness, language, and motor response due to catatonia after eight hours of total elbow arthroplasty under general anesthesia. Case: A 68-year-old woman with neuropsychiatric disorders and Parkinson’s disease did not respond adequately during recovery after more than eight hours of general anesthesia. Following the operation, the patient was semi-comatose and appeared to have nonconvulsive status epilepticus upon awakening from anesthesia. However, subsequent examinations did not reveal any organic causes. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with catatonia, treated, and discharged following gradual improvement.
Conclusions
Although rare, patients taking psychiatric drugs for an extended period may experience delayed emergence after prolonged general anesthesia without identifiable causes. Catatonia should be considered in the differential diagnoses of these patients.

Keyword

Catatonia; Delayed recovery from anesthesia; General anesthesia; Medication; Nonconvulsive status epilepticus; Parkinson’s disease