Effects of midazolam (Ro 21-3981) on neuromuscular block

A study was carried out in 37 patients scheduled for elective abdominal surgery to investigate the influence of midazolam (0.1 to 0.15 mg/kg) on the neuromuscular blocking effects of suxamethonium bromide and pancuronium bromide. Neuromuscular block was measured by the force of isometric contractions of adductor pollicis muscle after 0.1 Hz supramaximal stimulation. Complete recovery time when midazolam was administered 1 minute before 1 mg suxamethonium/kg was not significantly different from that when suxamethonium alone was used, neither did midazolam have any significant influence on the intensity and duration of action of pancuronium bromide (0.075 mg/kg). It is concluded that midazolam can be combined safely with depolarising and non-depolarising neuromuscular blocking agents used as adjuncts in anaesthesia.