[Possible bronchospasm after administration of vecuronium]

A 62 year-old female developed bronchospasm after intravenous vecuronium administration. Vecuronium is reported to have major advantages over pancuronium due to the lack of significant histamine-releasing activity and cardiovascular side effects. However, macular rash, systemic collapse and bronchospasm have been reported before. The patient received cholecystectomy under general anesthesia. She had a history of urticaria when she had had a intravenous pyelography and showed positive skin test to antibiotic, ceftizoxime. During induction with thiopental plus vecuronium and on addition of vecuronium, bronchospasm was induced within five minutes in each time. Both episodes of bronchospasms were relieved with intravenous aminophylline and methylprednisolone. During the operation arterial blood gas samples were taken twice and showed no abnormal findings. Further blood samples were taken for complement C3, C4, plasma IgE and white blood cell counts. Skin test to vecuronium was also performed. In spite of these data, the mechanism of bronchospasm remained obscure. Careful attention should be paid to the use of vecuronium, especially for the patient who showed allergic response to some drugs.