[Augmentation by succinylcholine of the neuromuscular blocking effect of vecuronium in children].

To evaluate the influence of succinylcholine (Scc) on the neuromuscular blocking effect of subsequently administered vecuronium in children, 30 patients aged 2-14 years scheduled for elective surgery were studied after obtaining the informed consent from the parents. Anesthesia was induced with inhalation of sevoflurane, nitrous oxide and oxygen. T1 of the adductor pollicis muscle to ulnar nerve stimulation elicited by train of four stimulation at 2 Hz was monitored continuously by an acceleration transducer. The patients were divided into two groups; group V (16 patients) received vecuronium (0.03 mg.kg-1) and group SV (14 patients) received vecuronium (0.03 mg.kg-1) after 100% recovery of twitch from neuromuscular blockade induced with Scc (1.0 mg.kg-1). Short onset of action and potentiation of maximal block were demonstrated in group SV. After vecuronium administration, a complete suppression of T1 was observed in 8 patients of group SV and only 1 patient of group V. The present study demonstrates that the neuromuscular blockade of vecuronium can be potentiated with the prior administration of Scc in pediatric patients.