• Anis S Baraka, Sania T Haroun-Bizri, Maud F Nawfal, Frederic J Gerges, and Viviane G Nasr.
• Department of Anesthesiology, American University of Beirut-Medical Center, Beirut-Lebanon. abaraka@aub.edu.lb
• Middle East J Anaesthesiol. 2005 Oct 1;18(3):477-84.

Study ObjectiveThe present report investigates the rate of arousal following remifentanil-based anesthesia associated with the coadministration of pancuronium, which inhibits butyrylcholinesterase, or cisatracurium, which is partially metabolized by nonspecific esterases, versus vecuronium that is eliminated independently of ester hydrolysis.Design, Setting And PatientsSixty patients, ASA I-II, scheduled for elective abdominal surgeries were enrolled in a double-blinded prospective study. In fact, patients were equally divided into three Groups with each Group receiving remifentanil and either one of the following three muscle relaxants: pancuronium, vecuronium or cisatracurium.MeasurementsThe rate of arousal following discontinuation of anesthesia was assessed by Modified Aldrete Score. Time to eye opening on verbal command, tracheal extubation, Modified Aldrete Score >9, and time to discharge from the recovery room were recorded.Main ResultsTime to eye opening on verbal command, tracheal extubation, Modified Aldrete Score >9, and time to discharge from the recovery room were not significantly different between the three groups.ConclusionThe results suggest that recovery following remifentanil-based anesthesia is not delayed by the coadministration of pancuronium, cisatracurium versus vecuronium; and by the use of neostigmine for reversal of neuromuscular blockade.

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