Succinylcholine warning

Abstract

CORRESPONDENCE 657sidered to be at high risk of regurgitation and aspiration. However, whilst the OTC probably offers increased airway protection, its value has not been proved in this clinical situation. The LMA does not protect the trachea from regurgitated stomach contents, but has been shown, by Baraka amongst others, 4 to be life-saving on occasions where tracheal intubation and FM ventilation have both failed. The risk/benefit ratios of these two devices have not been assessed and it is premature to presume that one is superior to the other. The LMA is commonly used during general anaesthesia making it more familiar and immediately available; it can be used in children and it can also be used as an airway intubator. 5 There is also indirect evidence that LMA insertion is not compromised in the patient with a difficult airway. 6-9 In a recent trial, the LMA was used 41 times in 40 adult patients sustaining a cardiopulmonary arrest at a district general hospital. The LMA failed on only two occasions, and was successful in three cases where tracheal intubation was impossible. There were no cases of LMArelated aspiration, m

Succinylcholine-Induced Postoperative Myalgia: Etiology and Prevention

“…Most importantly, controversy remains regarding the administration of succinylcholine. While its routine use is not recommended due to concerns of hyperkalemia in patients with undiagnosed myopathy, the manufacturer's package insert still describes its use for emergency tracheal intubation or in instances where immediate securing of the airway is necessary [28][29][30].…”