Mixed neuromuscular block: the effect of precurarization.

The effects of precurarisation, with small doses of pancuronium, curare or gallamine, on the neuromuscular blockade following suxamethonium, 1 mg/kg, were studied using train-of-four stimulation. The duration of the block was reduced by pretreatment with d-tubocurarine and gallamine but increased with pancuronium. The degree of competitive neuromuscular blockade, both after administration of the precurarising dose and at full recovery from suxamethonium was mild and was insufficient to be a cause of postoperative muscle weakness.