Serum pseudocholinesterase levels in anaesthesiologists and radiologists.

This study deals with the serum pseudocholinesterase levels of anaesthesiologists and radiologists as compared with those of the general population which has not been exposed to anaesthetic gas traces or radiation. No difference in serum pseudocholinesterase levels was found in any of the three groups studied when compared to each other. In conclusion, anaesthesiologists and radiologists in good physical condition may not present any increased risk of respiratory depression or prolonged apnoea after succinylcholine administration for muscle relaxation, in comparison with the general population which has not been exposed to either anaesthetic gases or radiation.

Alcuronium and intraocular pressure.

The effects of alcuronium on intraocular pressure (IOP) was studied in 20 patients undergoing elective ophthalmic surgery. IOP was measured with the Schiötz indentation tonometer before induction, after induction, and after tracheal intubation. Combined administration of a standardized sleep dose of thiopental (5 mg/kg) and alcuronium (0.25-0.30 mg/kg) significantly (P less than 0.001) decreased IOP from control values of 15.3 +/- 2.33 mm Hg (mean +/- SD) to 8.91 +/- 2.15 mm Hg. Intubation of the trachea significantly (P less than 0.001) increased IOP to 12.58 +/- 3.05 mm Hg, a level still significantly (P less than 0.001) lower than control values.

[Infiltration block of the coeliac plexus using a plastic catheter]. / Infiltrationsblockade des Plexus Coeliacus mit Verwendung plastischer Katheter.

Nine patients suffered from intractable pain that was not relieved by analgesic medication. All had cancer of the stomach or pancreas. The coeliac plexus was approached from the back, two long Teflon catheters being directed onto the appropriate ganglia under x-ray control. When the catheters were correctly positioned, under continuous aspiration we administered via each catheter 25 ml of Xylocaine 0.5-0.8%. The successful and uneventful trial was followed with injection of an equal volume of 25 ml 50% alcohol through each catheter on the next day. In eight patients pain ceased completely while the ninth presented a 50% improvement. In the last five patients alcohol was injected 2 to 3 hours after the injection of the local anesthetic. We had a postspinal headache from accidental puncture of the dura mater, and a mild toxic reaction to Xylocaine. Also three patients presented hypotension after the Xylocaine was administered.

Effect of tobramycin on serum pseudocholinesterase levels.

Tobramycin given in a single dose of 1 mg.Kg-1 intramuscularly, in healthy male volunteers, did not produce any significant change in serum pseudocholinesterase levels. The above antibiotic given in a single dose of 2 mg.Kg-1 intramuscularly produced a statistically significant increase (p less than 0.05) of serum pseudocholinesterase levels 2 and 4 hours after its administration. However, this increase is very small to have any clinical significance. For the anaesthesiologist, a decrease, rather than an increase, of the serum pseudocholinesterase level should be of clinical significance.