Atropine vs glycopyrrolate during reversal of pancuronium block in patients anaesthetized with halothane

Atropine 0.015 mg kg-1 and glycopyrrolate 0.0075 mg kg-1 were compared as antimuscarinic agents during reversal of pancuronium block with neostigmine 0.03 mg kg-1 in 30 patients anaesthetized with thiopental-N2O-halothane and undergoing minor surgery. In patients treated with atropine-neostigmine, the frequencies of bradycardia and junctional rhythm were relatively high and about the same as those reported by us previously in patients anaesthetized with thiopental-N2O-fentanyl. As in our previous study, glycopyrrolate seemed to have advantages over atropine during reversal of pancuronium block: the incidences of bradycardia and junctional rhythm were significantly less in patients treated with glycopyrrolate. Recovery from anaesthesia, as assessed by the awakening after discontinuation of N2O and halothane administration, and the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, were not significantly different between the atropine and glycopyrrolate groups.