Abstract

Background : The aim of this study was to compare between the efficacy of diclofenac sodium and magnesium sulphate in reducing succinylcholine-induced muscle fasciculations and post-operative myalgia, hemodynamic responses in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anaesthesia with endotracheal intubation. Methods:

76 adult patients were assigned to one of the two groups of 38, namely those who were pretreated with magnesium sulphate (group A) and those who were pretreated with diclofenac sodium (group B). Demographic parameters, distribution of patients experiencing muscle fasciculations after succinylcholine injection and myalgia in 24 hrs post-operative period, hemodynamic parameters at different point of time were recorded .

Results: The demographic parameters in the two groups were comparable. The incidence and severity of muscle fasciculations and post -operative myalgia in group A(magnesium sulphate) was significantly lower than in group B(diclofenac sodium) (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in hemodynamic parameters in the two groups (>0.05).

Conclusion: Magnesium sulfate 40 mg/kg intravenously , as pretreatment, may be used with propofol for induction of anesthesia to control succinylcholine-induced fasciculations and myalgia. It is also a better agent than diclofenac sodium in reducing such side-effects of succinylcholine.