Forum. The use of atracurium besylate for laparoscopy

An anaesthetic technique is described for laparoscopy using an intravenous induction, atracurium 0.2 mg/kg for muscle relaxation and intermittent positive pressure ventilation of the lungs with nitrous oxide and oxygen. It was found to be a suitable and simple technique. Recovery of spontaneous ventilation was achieved without the use of reversal agents in all 40 patients. A 15% incidence of cutaneous histaminoid reactions was noted. This is no higher than reported in other studies of atracurium, and further clinical trials are awaited.