South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Comparison between atracurium and alcuronium for muscle relaxation during laparoscopy.
Atracurium 0.3 mg/kg was compared with alcuronium 0.25 mg/kg as the sole muscle relaxant for tracheal intubation and abdominal relaxation for gynaecological laparoscopy in 46 patients during nitrous oxide, oxygen and halothane anaesthesia. Speed of onset, intubation conditions, effect on blood pressure and pulse rate, and ease of reversal were compared. ⋯ Although alcuronium provided good muscle relaxation, it is not suitable for short procedures because of difficulty in reversing its action. Atracurium allowed earlier and more complete reversal of neuromuscular block.