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 nondepolarizing 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 micrograms/kg than after 25 micrograms/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.