USE OF A NEW SYRINGE PUMP (SPRINGFUSOR(R)) FOR MUSCLE-RELAXANT INFUSION

A new spring-driven syringe pump (Springfusor 10(R), Go Medical Indust ries, Subiaco, W.A.) was evaluated for infusion of muscle relaxants in 50 surgical cases. After an initial bolus dose, atracurium was given at a rate of 25 to 37.5 mg/hour and vecuronium at a rate of 4 to 6 mg/ hour. The mean infusion rate was found to be 4% above the nominal rate of 5 ml/hour and the accuracy in all cases was within +/- 20%. The Sp ringfusor was found to be rugged, cheap and easy to use. It lacks dose flexibility but is suitable for continuous background infusion of mus cle relaxants during surgery.