engleski

Succinylcholine usage – striking differences in various countries

Background and Goal of the Study: Succinylcholine (Sux) has been in clinical use for more than 50 years. There are some useful clinical features that it should not be used in selective surgery of children and adolescents because of the risk of rhabdomyolysis, hyperkalemia, and cardiac arrest associated with undiagnosed myopathies. However, it seems it is still widely used despite of newer neuromuscular blockers, e.g. rocuronium. Materials and Methods: A total of 170 randomly selected anesthesiologists from 5 countries (Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, UK, USA), anonymously filled out the five section questionnaire about the use of Sux. Its usage in adult elective and emergency surgery, as well as in pediatric anesthesia, opinion about Sux, and experienced side effects were tested. The difference in regional use was tested using Chi-squared test. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results and Discussions: There is significant difference between usage of Sux among various countries in adult elective and pediatric anesthesia. The most acceptable features reported were: rapid onset (76%), short duration (64%), and effective relaxation (61%). Forty-seven per cent never experienced a complication from drug usage. The most frequently reported side effects were myalgias (47%), bradycardias (42%), and prolonged blockade (39%). Asystole was reported by 23% of physicians. Allergy is only six-ranked side effect (13%). Conclusions: Succinylcholine is still widely used in clinical practice in Europe and USA in adult and pediatric surgery, despite of its possible draw-backs. Therefore, indications for its use and medico-legal aspects should precisely defined based on scientific evidences.

succinylcholine; anesthesia

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