PROPOFOL PERMITS TRACHEAL INTUBATION BUT DOES NOT AFFECT POSTOPERATIVE MYALGIAS

Study Objective. To determine the effect of propofol without succinylc holine on intubating conditions and postoperative myalgias in ambulato ry surgical patients undergoing general anesthesia. Design: Prospectiv e, double-blind, randomized study. Setting: Ambulatory surgery adult p atients. Patients: 56 ASA physical status I and II adult patients unde rgoing general endotracheal anesthesia. Interventions: Group 1 patient s received thiamylal plus succinylcholine, Group 2 patients received p ropofol plus succinylcholine; and Group 3 patients received propofol p lus saline. All patients received fentanyl, lidocaine, and nitrous oxi de plus isoflurane in oxygen. Measurements and Main Results: Incidence and severity of fasciculations, tracheal intubating conditions, and m yalgias on the first and third postoperative days were measured. Propo fol did not affect the incidence or severity of fasciculations followi ng succinylcholine, or the incidence of myalgias. Of patients who rece ived propofol without succinylcholine, intubation was successful in 85 %. Conclusion: Propofol did not affect the incidence or severity of po stoperative myalgias following succinylcholine.