Alcuronium and intraocular pressure.

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Ophthalmology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Intraocular pressure (IOP) management is critical during ophthalmic surgery.
• Neuromuscular blocking agents can influence IOP, necessitating careful selection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effect of alcuronium on intraocular pressure in patients undergoing ophthalmic surgery.
• To assess IOP changes following induction and tracheal intubation under anesthesia with alcuronium.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 20 patients undergoing elective ophthalmic surgery.
• Intraocular pressure was measured using a Schiötz tonometer at three time points: pre-induction, post-induction, and post-tracheal intubation.
• Anesthesia involved thiopental (5 mg/kg) and alcuronium (0.25-0.30 mg/kg).

Main Results:

• Combined thiopental and alcuronium significantly decreased IOP from a baseline of 15.3 +/- 2.33 mm Hg to 8.91 +/- 2.15 mm Hg (P < 0.001).
• Tracheal intubation caused a significant IOP increase to 12.58 +/- 3.05 mm Hg (P < 0.001).
• Post-intubation IOP remained significantly lower than pre-induction control values (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• Alcuronium, in combination with thiopental, effectively reduces intraocular pressure during ophthalmic anesthesia.
• Tracheal intubation causes a transient increase in IOP, but the overall effect of the anesthetic combination is a significant IOP reduction.