Pancuronium in caesarean section and its placental transfer

Abstract

Pancuronium bromide was used in 49 patients undergoing repeat elective Caesarean section. In 26 patients who received only pancuronium 0.1 mg kg-1, pancuronium was detected in all umbilical venous or arterial samples (0.12 μg ml-1). In 23 other patients who received suxamethonium 1.0 mg kg-1 followed by pancuronium 0.05 mg kg-1, pancuronium was detected in fetal blood 2 min after injection; the concentration of pancuronium in umbilical venous or arterial samples in 14 subjects was 0.08 μg ml-1, and less than 0.05 μg ml-1 in nine subjects. There was no evidence that such concentrations of pancuronium were detrimental to the fetus. The use of suxamethonium before pancuronium resulted in reduction of pancuronium dosage, induction-delivery time, and fetal concentrations of pancuronium, and was associated with better condition of the neonate. © 1980 Macmillan Journals Ltd.