An Unusual Complication of Total Intravenous Anesthesia

Abstract

We report a case of mutism secondary to total IV anesthesia with propofol, as an unusual complication that we have not found in the literature. Pulse oximetry may produce skin damage after the administration of photosensitizing chemotherapeutic drugs. Surgery must often be performed in near darkness during photodynamic therapy. Limiting the duration of pulse oximetry and rotating sites allowed successful use of pulse oximetry in a long anesthetic during which verteporphin was administered.