Does Suxamethonium Influence the Subsequent Dose Requirements of Alcuronium and Its Reversibility in Children?

Abstract

Suxamethonium is often used for intubation prior to the use of a nondepolarising muscle relaxant. This study was performed to determine whether suxamethonium altered the dose of alcuronium required to produce neuromuscular block. The findings were that suxamethonium 1.0 mg/kg did not alter the depth, duration or reversibility of block if given before alcuronium 0.3 mg/kg. Reversal with neostigmine was more rapid following 50 fig/kg than after 25 μg/kg. If recovery from neuromuscular block was greater than 25 per cent, the lower dose produced satisfactory reversal, whether or not suxamethonium had been given previously.