ABSTRACT

Background: Magnesium sulphate inhibits the release of acetylcholine at nerve terminal and decreases the excitability of muscle fiber. Recently it has been shown to decrease fasciculations and myalgias caused by succinylcholine. Therefore this study was planned to investigate its effects on succinylcholine induced fasciculations and myalgias.

Study design: Randomized control trial

Methodology: 70 Patients were randomly divided into two groups i.e. Magnesium Sulphate 40mg/kg (Group A) and Normal Saline 0.9% (Group B). The patients of Group A were pretreated with magnesium sulphate 40mg/kg body weight in 10 mL volume, while patients Group B were given isotonic saline 0.9% in the same volume (10mL) intravenously slowly over a period of 10 minutes. Fasciculations were assessed and graded. Postoperative myalgias were assessed after 24hr of surgery and graded. All the data was collected using case report form and analyzed using SPSS version 20.

Results: In group-A, 17(48.6%) cases had no fasciculation and myalgias, 18(51.4%) had mild fasciculation and myalgias. In group-B all had moderate fasciculation, 7(20%) had mild and 28(80%) had moderate Myalgias. The mean hospital stay in group A and group B was 1.63 ± 0.60 and 2.11±1.13 days respectively

Conclusion: Use of Magnesium Sulphate 40mg/kg before induction of anesthesia significantly reduces the incidence and severity of fasciculations and myalgias and decreases the hospital stay.

Keywords: Magnesium Sulphate, Succinylcholine, Fasciculations, Myalgias, Postoperative, Graded, excitability