The Nondepolarizing Neuromuscular Blocking Action of Succinylcholine in Man

Abstract

The nature of the neuromuscular block produced by succinylcholine was studied in 53 patients by measuring the response to twitch tetanus and edrophonium administration. First a depolarizing and then a nondepolarizing block were observed in all the patients studied. The nondepolarizing block was dose but not time dependent, and was unrelated to the mode of administration of succinylcholine. The presence of tachyphylaxis was not necessary for the development of a nondepolarizing block. The anesthetic agents used and depth of anesthesia did not affect the results.