Succinylcholine: a drug to avoid in bariatric surgery

Obes Surg. 2009 Apr;19(4):534-6. doi: 10.1007/s11695-008-9720-7. Epub 2008 Oct 7.

Abstract

Succinylcholine is a paralytic agent regularly utilized in anesthesia. There are numerous adverse effects of succinylcholine ranging from mild to fatal; one such effect is succinylcholine myalgia. We report the case of a 34-year-old woman who received succinylcholine while undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and later developed succinylcholine myalgia leading to a prolonged hospital stay and subsequent pneumonia. In the presence of suitable alternative paralytic agents, succinylcholine should be avoided in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. The use of a designated anesthesia team familiar with bariatric operations can help maximize peri-operative management and minimize complications.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Gastric Bypass*
  • Humans
  • Intubation, Intratracheal
  • Length of Stay
  • Muscular Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Neuromuscular Depolarizing Agents / adverse effects*
  • Obesity, Morbid / epidemiology
  • Obesity, Morbid / surgery
  • Pain, Postoperative / chemically induced*
  • Risk Factors
  • Succinylcholine / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Neuromuscular Depolarizing Agents
  • Succinylcholine