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A comparison of the response to suxamethonium in post-partum and gynaecological patients
The response to suxamethonium was assessed in 20 women undergoing tubal ligation on the first or second post-partum day and in 20 women undergoing interval tubal ligation. The dose of suxamethonium which produced 80% depression of control twitch height was significantly lower in the puerperal patients. Similarly, recovery times following injection of a 20-mg bolus of the drug were significantly longer in the post-partum than the non-obstetric group. Cholinesterase activity, determined in six post-partum women, was inversely related to the time to maximal recovery. Thus, smaller doses of suxamethonium are required in the early puerperium.
The response to suxamethonium was assessed in 20 women undergoing tubal ligation on the first or second post-partum day and in 20 women undergoing interval tubal ligation. The dose of suxamethonium which produced 80% depression of control twitch height was significantly lower in the puerperal patients. Similarly, recovery times following injection of a 20-mg bolus of the drug were significantly longer in the post-partum than the non-obstetric group. Cholinesterase activity, determined in six post-partum women, was inversely related to the time to maximal recovery. Thus, smaller doses of suxamethonium are required in the early puerperium.