PROLONGED APNEA FOLLOWING SUXAMETHONIUM I N A STAPHYLOCOCCAL TOXIC SHOCK SYNDROME

A toxic shock syndrome occurred after a femoral nail removal requiring revision surgery. After administration of suxamethonium (1 mg . kg(-1 )), an apnoea prolonged over 45 minutes was observed. The trachea was extubated 105 minutes after suxamethonium administration. For the nail removal, two days before, the anaesthetic had been given by the same anaesthesiologist, with a similar protocol. Apnoea extended over 20 mi nutes. The day of the revision surgery, plasma cholinesterase activity was 410 UI . L(-1) and reached 910 UI . L(-1), 9 months later. Dibuca ine number was 20 and fluorure number 17. The apnoea was in relation w ith a genetic plasma cholinesterase deficiency increased by the toxic shock syndrome. Shock and hepatic insufficiency were suspected to cont ribute to the decrease in plasma cholinesterase. Suxamethonium should be avoided in case of toxic shock syndrome.