Anesthetic management of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency is the most common enzyme disease of red blood cells, with around 400 million people suffering from it throughout the world and linked to the X chromosome inheritance, thus it predominantly affects men. Glucose 6-phosphate-dehydrogenase participates in the pentose-phosphate pathway, being responsible for cellular metabolism and the production of antioxidants. A deficiency of this enzyme alters its ability to protect red blood cells from oxidative stress caused by certain drugs, metabolic conditions, infections and food. Specific anesthetic considerations are required to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with medical-surgical interventions in patients with this disease. This article presents the case of a 45-year-old man with glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency who underwent combined general anaesthesia for programmed low anterior resection of the rectum.