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Biomedical subjects

J C Bevan

Publications and source records attributed to J C Bevan.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Dose-related effects of succinylcholine on the adductor pollicis and masseter muscles in children.

This study was performed to determine the effects of various doses of succinylcholine on resting tension and evoked twitch height at the masseter and adductor pollicis muscles in children. Twenty patients, aged 3-10 yr, ASA physical status I or II, were randomly assigned to receive succinylcholine 0.15, 0.25, 0.50 or 1.00 mg.kg-1, during halothane-nitrous oxide anaesthesia. Supramaximal train-of-four stimulation was applied simultaneously to the ulnar nerve and the nerve to the masseter. Transducers recorded force at the jaw and the thumb. Maximum blockade of the first twitch (T1) and maximum resting tension change were measured. Potency of succinylcholine at the two muscles was estimated by linear regression of the logit transformation of T1 versus log dose. The relationship between resting tension change and log dose was established by linear regression. The masseter muscle was more sensitive to succinylcholine than the adductor pollicis with an ED95 of 0.28 +/- 0.02 (mean +/- SEM) vs 0.44 +/- 0.05 mg.kg-1 (P less than 0.05). Onset of neuromuscular blockade was faster at the masseter, and recovery occurred simultaneously in both muscles. A dose-related increase in resting tension was observed in both muscles, but its magnitude was five times greater at the masseter. With succinylcholine, 1 mg.kg-1, this increase was 51.6 +/- 16.8 g at the masseter and 9.1 +/- 2.3 g at the adductor pollicis. Tension returned to baseline within 1-2 min.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anesthesia, Inhalation↗

Potency of atracurium on masseter and adductor pollicis muscles in children.

The sensitivity of the masseter to atracurium was measured in ten children aged 3-10 yr undergoing elective surgery, and compared with that of the adductor pollicis. During nitrous oxide-halothane anaesthesia and mechanical ventilation, supramaximal nerve stimulation was applied to the ulnar nerve at the elbow and to the nerve to the masseter, at a point inferior to the zygomatic arch, anterior to the mandibular condyle. Jaw closure was measured by a force displacement transducer system attached to an oral airway and connected to a metal frame fixed to the operating table 10 cm caudad to the chin. Cumulative dose-response curves for atracurium were obtained by the injection of doses followed by an infusion to compensate for elimination. The mean ED50s and ED95s were similar at the masseter and the adductor pollicis. At the masseter, these were 0.150 +/- 0.013, mean +/- SEM, mg.kg-1 and 0.254 +/- 0.021 mg.kg-1, respectively. At the adductor pollicis, corresponding values were 0.145 +/- 0.009 mg.kg-1, and 0.259 +/- 0.016 mg.kg-1. However, this relationship was not constant in every patient, and in some patients the masseter was much more sensitive than the adductor pollicis. The time from injection of the first dose of atracurium to maximum blockade was 2.5 +/- 0.2 min at the masseter and 3.2 +/- 0.2 min at the adductor pollicis (P less than 0.05). It is concluded that when atracurium is administered to paediatric patients, neuromuscular blockade is usually of the same intensity at each muscle but occurs sooner at the masseter than at the adductor pollicis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anesthesia, Inhalation↗

Pretreatment with non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents and suxamethonium-induced increases in resting jaw tension in children.

We have studied the effect of prior administration of non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking drugs on suxamethonium-induced increases in masseter muscle tension in 21 children aged 3-10 yr, anaesthetized with nitrous oxide and halothane using supramaximal stimulation of the ulnar nerve and the nerve to masseter. Resting tension and isometric force of contraction were measured in the adductor pollicis and masseter muscles. A sub-paralysing dose of tubocurarine 0.05 mg kg-1, a paralysing dose of atracurium 0.5 mg kg-1 or saline was given, followed 3 min later by suxamethonium 1 mg kg-1. Onset times of suxamethonium and atracurium block were shorter in the masseter than in the adductor pollicis muscle. When preceded by a sub-paralysing dose of tubocurarine, suxamethonium produced an increase in masseter tension (47 (SEM 15) g) similar to that produced by suxamethonium alone (59 (13) g). Prior administration of a paralysing dose of atracurium almost abolished this increase in tension (2.5 (2.5) g) (P less than 0.05 vs saline). The tension increase in adductor pollicis was 0, 3.2 (2.2) and 5.9 (1.1) g in the atracurium, tubocurarine and saline groups, respectively. Tubocurarine and atracurium prevented muscle fasciculations in all patients. It was concluded that increased muscle tone is a normal response to suxamethonium and is greater in the masseter than adductor pollicis. Sub-paralysing doses of non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockers have little effect, in contrast with paralysing doses. This suggests that the effect is mediated via postsynaptic receptors.

Ambulatory Surgical Procedures↗

Comparison of double-burst and train-of-four stimulation to assess neuromuscular blockade in children.

Double-burst stimulation (DBS), a new technique to evaluate neuromuscular function, consists of two 50-Hz trains of 60-ms duration and 750 ms apart. DBS was compared with train-of-four (TOF) stimulation in 21 children aged 3-10 yr, during halothane anesthesia. On one arm the ulnar nerve was stimulated supramaximally with TOF stimulation every 12 s and the force of the evoked contraction of the adductor pollicis measured with an FTO3 force transducer and recorded on paper. Atracurium (0.4-0.5 mg.kg-1) was administered. During recovery from neuromuscular blockade, TOF stimulation was interrupted periodically and DBS substituted. The same stimulation patterns were applied to the ulnar nerve of the other arm simultaneously, and the clinical anesthesiologist was asked to estimate the degree of fade with both. There was good correlation between the measured TOF ratio (ratio of fourth to first response) and DBS ratio (ratio of second to first response). The TOF and DBS ratios above which fade could no longer be appreciated manually were (mean +/- SEM) 0.44 +/- 0.03 and 0.67 +/- 0.04 (P = 0.0002). Corresponding ranges were 0.3-0.8 for TOF and 0.4-0.9 for DBS, but DBS fade was always apparent if TOF fade could be detected. Therefore, in children, DBS is more sensitive than is TOF stimulation for the clinical assessment of recovery from neuromuscular blockade.

Anesthesia, Inhalation↗

Jaw muscle tension after succinylcholine in children undergoing strabismus surgery.

The increases in tension at the masseter and adductor pollicis muscles following succinylcholine, 1 mg.kg-1, during halothane anaesthesia were measured in eight children, 3-10 yr, with strabismus. The results were compared with those obtained in a control group of general surgical patients. Supramaximal train-of-four (TOF) stimulation was applied to the ulnar nerve and the nerve to the masseter simultaneously. Jaw closure was measured by a force transducer system. In all patients, succinylcholine caused an increase in resting tone at the jaw and at the thumb. In the strabismus group, the magnitude of this increase was 55.7 +/- 23.2 g, mean +/- SD, at the jaw and 11.3 +/- 5.6 g at the thumb. This was not significantly different from the values obtained in controls, 45.3 +/- 33.4 g and 7.9 +/- 4.2 g, respectively. The duration of the phenomenon was 1-2 min in both muscles studied, and was not statistically different in the strabismus group. Time to complete neuromuscular blockade was significantly faster at the masseter, 31 +/- 6 sec--control groups; 39 +/- 11 sec--strabismus group, than at adductor pollicis, 61 +/- 34 sec--control groups; 75 +/- 28 sec--strabismus group (P less than 0.05 and 0.013 respectively). It is concluded that succinylcholine causes similar increases in jaw tension and comparable degrees of neuromuscular blockade in patients undergoing strabismus surgery as in other children.

Anesthesia, Inhalation↗

A simple device for monitoring neuromuscular blockade in children.

A simple instrument for measuring adductor pollicis tension in children has been devised. The thumb sensor utilizes a thin conical rubber seal obtained from a 5, 10 or 20 ml Becton Dickinson syringe. A syringe barrel of similar size, fixed at right angles to the sensor, forms a handle for the fist. The sensor is linked to a pressure transducer with non-compliant tubing. Pressure output of the saline-filled system was found to be linearly related to the force exerted on each size of the sensor. In 20 children, aged two to eight years, the device, fitted in turn with the 5, 10 and 20 ml syringe seal sensors, gave train-of-four (TOF) ratios which showed close correlation (coefficient r = 0.96, 0.93, 0.95) and agreement (regression slope b = 0.97, 0.95, 0.98) with those of a force transducer. Thus, inspection of the displayed TOF pressure pulses gives a rapid and reliable estimate of neuromuscular blockade.

Anesthesiology↗

Decreases in arterial oxygen saturation in paediatric outpatients during transfer to the postanaesthetic recovery room.

Arterial oxygen saturation was measured by pulse oximetry in two groups of paediatric outpatients breathing room air during transport from the operating room to the postanaesthetic recovery room. In Group I (n = 60) readiness for transfer from OR to PARR was decided clinically. In Group II (n = 50) additional criteria of oxygen saturation (SaOe) greater than or equal to 98 per cent with end-tidal gas N2O less than or equal to 10 per cent and CO2 less than or equal to 45 mmHg were met. A higher incidence of desaturation (SaO2 less than or equal to 90 per cent) occurred in Group I (27 per cent) than in Group II (eight per cent) (P less than 0.05). More children under 2 yr desaturated in Group I (50 per cent) than Group II (17 per cent) (P greater than 0.05 less than 0.10). Twenty-two patients in each group had a recent history of upper respiratory tract infections. In these patients, desaturation was more marked in those in Group I (32 per cent) than in Group II (five per cent) (P less than 0.05). Within each group, the incidence of desaturation during transport was similar in patients with or without a recent URI.

Adolescent↗

Postoperative vomiting following strabismus surgery in paediatric outpatients: spontaneous versus controlled ventilation.

The study was designed to compare the frequency and severity of postoperative vomiting in paediatric out-patients receiving controlled ventilation (IPPV) or breathing spontaneously (SV) during anaesthesia for strabismus repair. One hundred and twenty unpremedicated children (ages 2-12 years) were studied in a randomized fashion. After intravenous induction of anaesthesia and tracheal intubation, patients breathed halothane 1-1.5 per cent inspired and N2O 66 per cent in O2 spontaneously (n = 60), or received IPPV, halothane 0.5-1 per cent, N2O 66 per cent, and pancuronium 0.05 mg.kg-1, which was reversed with neostigmine and atropine (n = 60). The incidence of vomiting with SV was 50 per cent (95 per cent confidence limits: 34.5-65.5 per cent) compared with 40 per cent (24.5-55.5 per cent) with IPPV (p greater than 0.25). Patients in the SV group experiencing emesis had longer operations than those not vomiting (mean +/- SEM = 1.5 +/- 0.1 vs 1.2 +/- 0.1 hours, p less than 0.005). This was not the case with IPPV. There was no correlation between age, sex, duration of surgery, or number of extraocular muscles repaired, and frequency or severity of vomiting or time to discharge. No significant advantage was afforded by IPPV over SV in the present study.

Child↗

The potency of pancuronium at the adductor pollicis and diaphragm in infants and children.

To measure the potency of pancuronium at the diaphragm and adductor pollicis in infants and children, train-of-four stimulation was applied to the ulnar and phrenic nerves under N2O-halothane anesthesia. The force of contraction of the adductor pollicis was measured and compared with the diaphragmatic electromyogram (EMG). Cumulative dose response curves were determined for pancuronium in 18 patients divided equally into three age groups: 0-1 yr, 1-3 yr, and 3-10 yr. The potency of pancuronium at both muscles decreased with increasing age (P less than 0.05), while the adductor pollicis:diaphragm potency ratio remained constant. The mean doses (+/- SEM) required to depress adductor pollicis first twitch responses by 90% (ED90) were 42 +/- 3.3 micrograms/kg in the 0-1-yr group, 47 +/- 4.2 micrograms/kg in the 1-3-yr group, and 62 +/- 4.1 micrograms/kg in the 3-10-yr group. Corresponding figures for the diaphragm were 70 +/- 4.3 micrograms/kg, 81 +/- 5.1 micrograms/kg, and 101 +/- 4.4 micrograms/kg, respectively. The ED90 ratios (diaphragm ED90/adductor pollicis ED90) in the three age groups were 1.69 +/- .07, 1.75 +/- .14, and 1.64 +/- .09, respectively. These results are consistent with similar rates of maturation of the diaphragm and the adductor pollicis muscles in infancy and childhood. Thus, train-of-four monitoring of the adductor pollicis is likely to overestimate the degree of neuromuscular blockade of the diaphragm in pediatric patients.

Aging↗

Accelerated onset and delayed recovery of d-tubocurarine blockade with pancuronium in infants and children.

The effect of age on the onset and duration of action of a d-tubocurarine (DTC) neuromuscular blockade with and without pancuronium priming in children was examined. Sixty ASA physical status I or II patients in three age ranges (0-1 yr, 1-3 yr and 3-10 yr) were anaesthetized with thiopentone, halothane and nitrous oxide. Each patient received either a single paralyzing dose of DTC 0.4 mg.kg-1, or DTC 0.36 mg.kg-1 preceded three minutes earlier by pancuronium 0.007 mg.kg-1. Evoked force of contraction of the adductor pollicis was measured using train-of-four stimulation applied every 12 sec. Time to 90 per cent first twitch depression after a single dose of DTC increased with increasing age (r = 0.65, p less than 0.01), and was 1.6 min (SEM +/- 0.3) in the 0-1 yr group, 1.9 +/- 0.3 min (1-3 yr), and 5.2 +/- 1.2 min (3-10 yr). Time to ten per cent spontaneous recovery after single dose DTC was shorter in older individuals (r = 0.40, p less than 0.05), being 36.4 +/- 5.1 min in infants 0-1 yr, 30.6 +/- 4.6 min (1-3 yr), and 24.0 +/- 2.7 min (3-10 yr). Priming with pancuronium accelerated the onset significantly in all age groups with 90 per cent T1 depression occurring at 0.7 +/- 0.1 min (0-1 yr), 0.9 +/- 0.1 min (1-3 yr), and 2.1 +/- 0.6 min (3-10 yr). However, priming delayed recovery, especially in infants.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aging↗

Prolonged infusion of suxamethonium in infants and children.

The neuromuscular blockade produced by a prolonged (greater than 90 min) continuous infusion of suxamethonium and measured with train-of-four stimulation was studied in 20 infants and 20 children during nitrous oxide and halothane in oxygen anaesthesia. The results were compared with a previous study in adults. Suxamethonium requirement was increased in infants and children. Mean peak infusion rates were 297 and 284 micrograms kg-1 min-1 in infants and children, compared with 134 micrograms kg-1 min-1 in adults. An initial tachyphylaxis was followed by bradyphylaxis, and the peak requirement occurred earlier in infants than in children and adults (40 v. 80-100 min). Phase II block developed during the tachyphylaxis. Recovery of neuromuscular activity commenced after stopping the infusion and was accelerated with neostigmine.

Child↗

Attempted acceleration of the onset of action of pancuronium. Effects of divided doses in infants and children.

The study was designed to determine whether the onset of action of pancuronium in infants and children could be accelerated by its administration in divided doses. Sixty paediatric patients (0-1 yr (n = 20); 1-3 yr (n = 20); 3-10 yr (n = 20)) were studied during nitrous oxide-oxygen-halothane anaesthesia using train-of-four stimulation, and the results were compared with data obtained previously in adults. The time to onset correlated with the patient's age, and an additional, small acceleration was produced following divided doses which did not alter the duration or pattern of neuromuscular blockade. It was concluded that, in children, divided doses of pancuronium are unlikely to offer important clinical advantages.

Anesthesia, Inhalation↗

Differential effects of myoneural blocking drugs on neuromuscular transmission in infants.

Equipotent, paralysing doses of pancuronium and tubocurarine were administered to 40 patients, aged from 1 day to 12 months, during nitrous oxide, oxygen and fentanyl anaesthesia. Neuromuscular activity was measured during onset and recovery from paralysis using train-of-four stimulation. At the same depression of the first stimulus of the train, the train-of-four ratio was decreased more during recovery than during onset with each drug and more with tubocurarine than with pancuronium. These results are qualitatively similar to those found in adults, but the decrease in train-of-four ratio was less in infants. Thus, it is concluded that prejunctional neuromuscular activity, recognized as fade in response to train-of-four stimulation, can be detected after administration of pancuronium or tubocurarine to infants, but that it is less marked than in adults.

Anesthesia, General↗