Ah. Hayes et al., Frequency of haemoglobin desaturation with the use of succinylcholine during rapid sequence induction of anaesthesia, ACT ANAE SC, 45(6), 2001, pp. 746-749
Citations number
18
Categorie Soggetti
Aneshtesia & Intensive Care","Medical Research Diagnosis & Treatment
Background: The percieved safety of the use of succinylcholine is based on
the fact that recovery from its effects will occur before oxygen desaturati
on occurs in case of failure to intubate or ventilate. The purpose of this
study was to examine the incidence of oxygen desaturation after the use of
succinylcholine prior to resumption of spontaneous ventilation following fo
ur different preoxygenation techniques.
Methods: Twenty-five patients each were randomly alocated to preoxygenation
with 4 deep breaths of 100% oxygen or by breathing oxygen for 1, 3 or 5 mi
n following which they recieved a rapid sequence induction of anaesthesia w
ith fentanyl 1 mug kg(-1), a sleep dose of thiopentone and succinylcholine
1 mg kg(-1). Oxygen saturation was monitored continuously using a finger pr
obe. Ventilation was not assisted unless the saturation decreased to 90%.
Results: Eleven out of the 100 patients had a decrease in their oxygensatur
ation to less than or equal to 90% before the resumption of effective spont
aneous ventilation irrespective of the technique of preoxygenation.
Conclusion: We conclude that use of succinylcholine may not always prevent
desaturation if there is a failure to iintubate and ventilate during a rapi
d sequence induction of anaesthesia. (C) Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavic
a 45 (2001).