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MH Discovered at RMH MH Reporting Form Download PDF
The Royal Melbourne Hospital could be considered the birthplace of knowledge about Malignant Hyperthermia – a potentially fatal disorder that can occur under certain types of anaesthetic.
It was at the RMH in 1960 that Dr Michael Denborough (pictured right) and his colleague Dr Richard Lovell first identified Malignant Hyperthermia as a genetically inherited disorder. A young man who was to have orthopaedic surgery was understandably terrified of the anaesthetic, as 10 members of his family had died during other minor procedures involving general anaesthesia. The doctors outlined the autosomal dominant inheritance of this severe reaction to anaesthetics and their letter was published in The Lancet.
Since 1972, The Royal Melbourne Hospital has been providing an advice, research and testing service for this rare but important disease, which has significant anaesthetic and surgical consequences.
The unit has tested more than 350 patients and there have been over 700 referrals. RMH is one of only three testing centres in Australia. The unit has been under the control of the Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Management since May 2001.
The only recognised test for Malignant Hyperthermia is a muscle biopsy, which is performed under a “non-triggering” anaesthetic. It involves a day’s stay in hospital and a few days off work while the 5cm scar on the thigh heals. While the test is accurate, it involves a certain degree of discomfort and cannot be performed on children as their muscle mass is not large enough.
Because of the limitations of the muscle biopsy, Malignant Hyperthermia testing centres throughout the world have been trying to devise another, less invasive test. A limited amount of genetic testing is also available for some families.
For all referrals and enquiries, please contact:
Dr Robyn Gillies MB BS FANZCA or
Phone: +61 3 9342 7540 or through switchboard +61 3 9342 7000
Fax: +61 3 9342 8623
Email: robyn.gillies@mh.org.au
OR
Dr Brad Hockey MB BS FANZCA
Phone: +61 3 9342 7540 or through switchboard +61 3 9342 7000
Fax: +61 3 9342 8623
Email: brad.hockey@mh.org.au
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