Assessment of Effect of Low Dose Succinylcholine on Facilitating Insertion of Laryngeal Mask Airway- A Single-blind Randomised Study

Introduction: Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) insertion is often associated with complications such as gagging, laryngospasm and mobility of the head and neck while insertion. To overcome this and achieve a smooth insertion, many drugs are tried one of them is being succinylcholine. Aim: To assess the effects of low dose succinylcholine (0.1 mg/kg) on facilitation of LMA insertion to achieve adequate conditions with fewer or no side effects. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I and II grade were posted for elective surgeries under general anaesthesia with LMA. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups of 30 each. Control group (Group C) received a bolus dose of 2 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride IV post induction. Study Group (Group S) received a bolus of succinylcholine 0.1 mg/kg diluted in 2 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride IV post induction. Following activities like jaw relaxation, coughing/gagging, head and limb movements, presence or absence of laryngospasm and duration of apnea were noted and were compared using chi-square test, while performing LMA insertion under general anaesthesia. Results: It was found that the number of incidences of gagging (mild) and coughing (mild) in Group S was 3.33% and 0%, respectively, while it was 23.33% and 26.66% in Group C. It was found that group S had excellent insertion conditions in 94% of patients as compared to 36% of group C (p<0.001). In 93.33% of patients, LMA was inserted in 1st attempt in group S, whereas 40% of patients in group C required more than one insertion attempt and also 93.3% of patients in group S did not require excess propofol, whereas supplement doses of propofol in control group was required in 60% of patients. Conclusion: Low dose succinylcholine provides better LMA insertion conditions with reduced number of attempts, incidences of gagging and coughing.