Recurrent Guillain-Barré Syndrome After Subsequent Total Knee Arthroplasties

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute immune-mediated inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy characterized by symmetrical limb weakness and areflexia. GBS is typically monophasic but may recur in 1%-7% of patients. Many etiologies exist for GBS; one rare associated etiology is surgery, most notably orthopaedic, abdominal, and cardiac surgery. Here, we present a 76-year-old male who developed postsurgical GBS after a right total knee arthroplasty (TKA), 11 years after developing GBS following a left TKA. The patient developed worsening ascending paralysis and, ultimately, respiratory failure requiring tracheostomy. This study reports a rare case of recurrent postsurgical GBS after TKA, possibly triggered by general anesthesia or tourniquet use. Early recognition of postsurgical GBS is imperative to avoid patient mortality.