Evaluation of prophylactic effect of remifentanil on succinylcholine-induced myalgia in humans

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of remifentanil in preventing succinylcholine-induced myalgia in humans. Methods: Sixty healthy adults scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia were enrolled in a double-blind study and randomly allocated to two groups of thirty patients. Patients in Group I (remifentanil group) were pretreated with remifentanil 1 μg/kg one minute prior to induction of anesthesia, while patients in Group II (saline group) received an equivalent volume of saline. Anesthesia was induced in both groups with fentanyl 1 μg/kg, propofol 2.0 mg/kg and succinylcholine 1.5 mg/kg. Postoperative myalgia was assessed 12, 24, and 48 h after induction and graded as nil, mild, moderate, or severe. Results: Fifty nine patients completed the study. The demographic data for both groups were comparable (p > 0.05). Postoperative myalgia at 12, 24, and 48 h after induction were 34.5, 34.5 and 14.1 % in group I, and 60, 53.4 and 30 % in group II, respectively (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Prophylactic use of remifentanil 1 μg/kg intravenously is ineffective in the prevention of postoperative myalgia.