Serum cholinesterase activity following the use of methoxyflurane in obstetrics

Abstract

On the basis of experience with 22 patients, it is concluded that the levels of inorganic fluoride achieved with the normal clinical use of methoxy-flurane in obstetrics are insufficient to depress serum cholinesterase activity to a clinically relevant extent. The variable and sometimes quite low levels of serum cholinesterase activity that may occur in healthy parturients should serve to caution anesthesiologists who use succinylcholine infusion for relaxation during obstetric anesthesia that prolonged apnea may occur with lower total doses of succinyl-choline than would produce it in surgical patients.