Inadvertent injection of succinylcholine as an epidural test dose / Injeção inadvertida de succinilcolina como uma dose teste epidural

Abstract Background and objectives: Epidural action of neuromuscular blocking agents could be explained under the light of their physicochemical characteristics and epidural space properties. In the literature there are few cases of accidental neuromuscular agent's epidural administration, manifesting mainly with neuromuscular blockade institution or fasciculations. Case report: We report a case of accidental succinylcholine administration as an epidural test dose, in a female patient undergoing scheduled laparotomy, under combined general and epidural anesthesia. Approximately 2 min after the succinylcholine injection the patient complained for shortness of breath, while mild fasciculations appeared in her trunk and face, managed by immediate general anesthesia institution. With the exception of a relatively longer duration of neuromuscular blockade compared with intravenous administration, no neurological or cardiovascular sequelae or other symptoms of local or systemic toxicity were observed. Conclusions: Oral administration of diazepam seems to lessen the adverse effects from accidental epidural administration of succinylcholine. The meticulous and discriminative labeling of syringes, as well as keeping persistent cautions during all anesthesia procedures remains of crucial importance.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos: A ação epidural de agentes bloqueadores neuromusculares pode ser explicada à luz de suas características físico-químicas e propriedades do espaço epidural. Na literatura existem poucos casos sobre a administração acidental em espaço epidural de agente neuromuscular que se manifesta principalmente com a instituição de bloqueio neuromuscular ou fasciculações. Relato de caso: Relatamos um caso de administração acidental de succinilcolina como uma dose teste epidural em uma paciente submetida à laparotomia programada, sob anestesia combinada geral e peridural. Aproximadamente dois minutos após a injeção de succinilcolina, a paciente queixou-se de falta de ar, enquanto fasciculações leves apareceram em seu tronco e rosto, tratadas com a instituição imediata de anestesia geral. Exceto pela duração relativamente longa do bloqueio neuromuscular em comparação com a administração intravenosa, sequelas neurológicas ou cardiovasculares ou outros sintomas de toxicidade local ou sistêmica não foram observados. Conclusões: A administração oral de diazepam parece diminuir os efeitos adversos da administração epidural acidental de succinilcolina. A meticulosidade e discriminação dos rótulos das seringas, bem como os cuidados persistentes mantidos durante todos os procedimentos de anestesia, continuam a ser de importância crucial.

[Inadvertent injection of succinylcholine as an epidural test dose]. / Injeção inadvertida de succinilcolina como uma dose teste epidural.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Epidural action of neuromuscular blocking agents could be explained under the light of their physicochemical characteristics and epidural space properties. In the literature there are few cases of accidental neuromuscular agent's epidural administration, manifesting mainly with neuromuscular blockade institution or fasciculations. CASE REPORT: We report a case of accidental succinylcholine administration as an epidural test dose, in a female patient undergoing scheduled laparotomy, under combined general and epidural anesthesia. Approximately 2min after the succinylcholine injection the patient complained for shortness of breath, while mild fasciculations appeared in her trunk and face, managed by immediate general anesthesia institution. With the exception of a relatively longer duration of neuromuscular blockade compared with intravenous administration, no neurological or cardiovascular sequelae or other symptoms of local or systemic toxicity were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Oral administration of diazepam seems to lessen the adverse effects from accidental epidural administration of succinylcholine. The meticulous and discriminative labeling of syringes, as well as keeping persistent cautions during all anesthesia procedures remains of crucial importance.