地氟醚七氟醚对糖尿病患者罗库溴铵肌松效应影响的比较

目的 比较地氟醚和七氟醚对糖尿病患者罗库溴铵肌松效应的影响.方法 择期2型糖尿病腹部手术患者60例,年龄45～64岁,ASA分级Ⅱ级,采用随机数字表法分为3组,每组20例:地氟醚组(DD组)、七氟醚组(SD组)和异丙酚组(PD组).静脉注射咪达唑仑、异丙酚和芬太尼行麻醉诱导后启动肌松监测,3组分别用异丙酚、地氟醚和七氟醚维持麻醉.记录肌松维持时间和恢复指数.于静脉注射罗库溴铵后10、20、30、40、50、60、70、80、90、100、110、120 min时记录T1/T0比值及T4/T1比值[四个成串刺激(train-of-four stimulation, TOF)比值].结果 DD组和SD组患者罗库溴铵的维持时间[(61±17),(60±18) min]、恢复指数[(36±12),(35±10) min]之间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),且均大于PD组(P＜0.05).DD组、SD组患者静脉注射罗库溴铵后60～120 min时T1/T0比值和TOF比值差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),且均大于PD组(P＜0.05).结论 地氟醚和七氟醚对糖尿病患者罗库溴铵肌松效应的影响差异无统计学意义.     

七氟醚对不同性别患者罗库溴铵肌松作用的影响

目的 比较罗库溴铵肌松效应的性别差异和七氟醚对不同性别患者罗库溴铵肌松增效作用.方法 择期手术患者120例(男:女为1:1),年龄20～60岁.ASA Ⅰ或Ⅱ级,按性别随机分为丙泊酚组和七氟醚组:女性丙泊酚组(PF组).男性丙泊酚组(PM组),女性七氟醚组(SF组),男性七氟醚组(SM组),每组30例.所有患者静脉注射咪达唑仑、芬太尼和丙泊酚行麻醉诱导,意识消失后,置入喉罩,接麻醉机辅助通气并启动肌松监测.丙泊酚组静脉输注丙泊酚维持麻醉,设定血浆靶控浓度2～6 μg/ml,输注丙泊酚5 min后静脉注射罗库溴铵0.6 mg/kg,七氟醚组在呼气末七氟醚浓度稳定于1 MAC 5 min后静脉注射罗库溴铵0.6 mg/kg.记录肌松起效时间、完全肌松时间、T1恢复到25%和TOF恢复到25%的时间.结果 PM组较PF组起效时间长,完全肌松时间、T1恢复到25%和TOF恢复到25%的时间缩短(P＜0.05).SF组TOF恢复到25%的时间较PF组延长(P＜0.05),SM组较PM组起效时间缩短,完全肌松时间、T1恢复到25%和TOF恢复到25%的时间均延长(P＜0.05).SM组T1恢复到25%和TOF恢复到z5%的时间较SF组延长(P＜0.05).结论 女性罗库溴铵起效更快,作用时间长;而七氟醚对男性罗库溴铵的增效作用优于女性.     

肝功能不全门脉高压病人罗库溴铵的肌松效应

目的 观察罗库溴铵在肝功能不全门脉高压病人中的肌松效应。方法 70例ASA I-Ⅱ级择期行上腹部手术的病人分为两组:门脉高压组(M组,n=36),对照组(C组,n=34),其中门脉高压组肝功能均属Child-Turcottee分级法Ⅱ级,对照组肝功能正常。两组病人麻醉诱导均为静脉注射咪唑安定0.02 mg·kg-1、异丙酚1.0 mg·kg-1、芬太尼5μg·kg-1和罗库溴铵0.6 mg·kg-1,同时进行肌松监测。麻醉维持采用吸入异氟烷及间断静脉注射芬太尼,罗库溴铵微量泵持续静注维持肌松,维持T1在10％-20％直至手术结束。记录罗库溴铵起效时间,TOF无反应时间,首次给药后,T110％恢复时间,停药后T125％恢复时间,恢复指数以及每30 min罗库溴铵维持用量。结果 M组病人肌松药起效时间、TOF完全阻断时间、首次给药后,T110％恢复时间、停药后T125％恢复时间及恢复指数比C组病人延长(P<0.01)。M组病人持续输注罗库溴铵用量明显小于C组病人(P<0.01)。结论 肝功能不全的门脉高压病人罗库溴铵起效、维持时间和肌松恢复时间明显延长,维持用量明显减少。     

活体肝移植术供体右半肝切除后罗库溴铵用量的变化

目的 探讨活体肝移植术供体右半肝切除术后罗库溴铵用量的变化.方法 择期拟行右半肝切除术的肝移植术供体病人16例,年龄21～49岁,体重51～86 kg,ASA Ⅰ级.麻醉诱导:静脉注射咪达唑仑和芬太尼,靶控输注异丙酚和罗库溴铵(血浆靶浓度3 μg/ml),采用肌松监测,待T1/Tc=0时进行气管插管,机械通气.气管插管后罗库溴铵血浆靶浓度降至1.0 μg/ml,调整罗库溴铵浓度,维持0相似文献   

七氟烷对顺式阿曲库铵和罗库溴铵肌松作用的影响

目的：比较七氟烷对顺式阿曲库铵和罗库溴铵肌松效应的影响。方法：择期手术患者240例,随机分为顺式阿曲库铵组（CIS120例）和罗库溴铵组（ROC120例）。两组患者再随机分为丙泊酚组（60例）和七氟烷组（60例）,均静脉注射咪达唑仑、芬太尼和丙泊酚行麻醉诱导,丙泊酚组靶控输注丙泊酚维持麻醉,设定血浆靶控浓度2～6μg/mL,输注丙泊酚5min后静脉注射顺式阿曲库铵0.15mg/kg或罗库溴铵0.6mg/kg;七氟烷组在呼气末七氟烷浓度稳定于1MAC5min后静脉注射顺式阿曲库铵0.15mg/kg或罗库溴铵0.6mg/kg。结果：CIS两组,起效时间差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;七氟烷组完全肌松时间、维持时间与丙泊酚组比较均显著延长（P〈0.01）。ROC两组,起效时间差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;七氟烷组完全肌松时间、维持时间与丙泊酚组比较均显著延长（P〈0.01）。结论：七氟烷对顺式阿曲库铵及罗库溴铵的肌松均有增效作用。     

异氟醚吸入麻醉与异丙酚静脉麻醉下长时间持续输注罗库溴铵的肌松作用

目的比较异氟醚吸入麻醉与异丙酚静脉麻醉下长时间持续输注罗库溴铵的肌松作用。方法拟在全麻下行口腔-颌面肿瘤择期手术(手术时间达5 h左右)病人30例,ASAⅠ或Ⅱ级,年龄18～65岁,随机分为2组(n=15):异丙酚组(Ⅰ组)异氟醚组(Ⅱ组)。用TOF-Watch SX肌松监测仪进行拇内收肌肌松监测。静脉注射罗库溴铵初始剂量0．6 mg·kg-1后气管插管,持续输注罗库溴铵。调整罗库溴铵的输注速率,T1稳定在基础值的10％时(初始状态),Ⅰ组靶控输注异丙酚维持麻醉,Ⅱ组吸入1 MAC异氟醚维持麻醉,持续5 h,术中维持T1在基础值的10％。记录罗库溴铵输注速率、恢复指数(T1恢复25％至75％的时间,T25-75)以及罗库溴铵停止输注到TOFR为0．9的时间。结果与初始状态比较,Ⅰ、Ⅱ组持续给药30 min-5 h时罗库溴铵输注速率下降(P<0．05);Ⅱ组持续给药1～5 h时罗库溴铵输注速率低于Ⅰ组(P<0．05)。两组间恢复指数和罗库溴铵停止输注到TOFR为0．9的时间差异无统计学意义(P>0．05)。结论罗库溴铵可用于长时间持续输注以维持稳定的肌松。维持T1在基础值的10％的情况下,持续输注罗库溴铵5 h时异氟醚麻醉比异丙酚为主的全凭静脉麻醉罗库溴铵输注速率减少30％,但其恢复指数无差异。     

性别对腹部手术病人罗库溴铵肌松作用的影响

目的研究性别对腹部手术病人罗库溴铵肌松作用的影响。方法拟在全麻下行腹部手术病人24例,年龄20-59岁,ASA Ⅰ或Ⅱ级,分为男性组(M组)与女性组(F组),每组12例。静脉注射异丙酚、芬太尼、罗库溴铵0．6 mg·kg-1行麻醉诱导。以4个成串刺激(TOF)监测神经肌肉阻滞深度,T1达最低时行气管插管。异丙酚靶控输注(效应室浓度3-4μg·ml-1)及静脉注射芬太尼维持麻醉。T1恢复至10％开始输注罗库溴铵,初始速率0．7 mg·kg-1·h-1,维持T1在5％-10％,术毕停用罗库溴铵,新斯的明0．05 mg·kg-1拮抗肌松效应,记录罗库溴铵的肌松作用指标。结果与F组比较,M 组身高与体重较高,T1最大抑制程度、罗库溴铵平均用药速率、新斯的明拮抗后T1自10％恢复到50％的时间、T1自25％恢复到75％的时间差异无统计学意义,起效时间延长,最大效应持续时间、T1恢复到10％的时间缩短;M组第1个10 min罗库溴铵用药平均速率大于其它时间段,且大于F组(P< 0．05)。结论单次静脉注射罗库溴铵的肌松作用存在性别差异,女性较男性病人敏感。     

性别因素对七氟醚增强顺阿曲库铵或罗库溴铵肌松效应的影响

目的 探讨性别因素对七氟醚增强顺阿曲库铵或罗库溴铵肌松效应的影响.方法 择期全麻手术患者240例,年龄20～60岁,ASA分级Ⅰ或Ⅱ级,BMI 20～30 kg/m2,随机分为2组(n=120):顺阿曲库铵组和罗库溴铵组,各组按性别和麻醉药再分4个亚组(n=30):女性异丙酚组、男性异丙酚组、女性七氟醚组和男性七氟醚组.各异丙酚组靶控输注异丙酚,血浆靶浓度2～6 μg/ml,各七氟醚组吸入七氟醚,于靶控输注或待呼气末七氟醚浓度稳定于1.71%5 min后,静脉注射顺阿曲库铵0.15 mg/kg或罗库溴铵0.6 mg/kg.记录肌松起效时间、肌松作用峰值时间、T1 25%恢复时间和TOFR25%恢复时间.结果 与异丙酚麻醉比较,女性患者七氟醚麻醉时,罗库溴铵TOFR 25%恢复时间延长,顺阿曲库铵肌松作用峰值时间、T1 25%恢复时间和TOFR 25%恢复时间延长,男性患者七氟醚麻醉时,罗库溴铵起效时间缩短,肌松作用峰值时间、T1 25%恢复时间和TOFR 25%恢复时间延长,顺阿曲库铵肌松作用峰值时间、T1 25%恢复时间和TOFR 25%恢复时间延长(P＜0.05或0.01);七氟醚麻醉时与男性患者比较,女性患者罗库溴铵T1 25%恢复时间和TOFR 25%恢复时间缩短,顺阿曲库铵起效时间缩短(P＜0.05或0.01).结论 七氟醚对罗库溴铵肌松的增强作用存在性别差异,男性强于女性;对顺阿曲库铵肌松的增强作用无明显性别差异.     

罗库溴铵复合麻黄碱预先给药对全麻患者罗库溴铵肌松效应的影响

目的 探讨罗库溴铵复合麻黄碱预先给药对罗库溴铵肌松效应的影响.方法 择期全麻手术患者100例,ASAⅠ或Ⅱ级,年龄23～64岁,体重42～88 kg,身高150～181 cm,随机分为5组(n=20):罗库溴铵组(C组)、罗库溴铵预先给药组(R组)、麻黄碱预先给药组(E组)、罗库溴铵复合麻黄碱预先给药组(RE组)和琥珀酰胆碱组(S组).麻醉诱导前R组、E组和RE组分别静脉注射罗库溴铵0.06 mg/kg、麻黄碱70 μg/kg、罗库溴铵0.06 mg/kg复合麻黄碱70 μg/kg,C组和S组无预先给药.麻醉诱导后4 min时C组和E组静脉注射罗库溴铵0.6 mg/kg,R组和RE组静脉注射罗库溴铵0.54 mg/kg,S组静脉注射琥珀酰胆碱1 mg/kg.采用Cooper法评分标准评定气管插管条件.记录从麻醉诱导时静脉注射罗库溴铵完毕至肌颤搐(Th)降至25%、10%、0的时间(分别为T25、T10、T0)和Th恢复至25%、50%的时间(分别为RT25、RT50)、肌松维持时间(从T0至RT25的时间),麻醉诱导期间每分钟记录1次心率、收缩压、舒张压和平均动脉压.结果 各组气管插管条件差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);与C组比较,其余4组T25、T10、T0均缩短,S组RT25、RT50缩短(P＜0.05);与RE组和S组比较,R组和E组T0延长(P＜0.05);与S组比较,C组、R组、E组和RE组肌松维持时间延长(P＜0.05).结论 罗库溴铵复合麻黄碱预先给药后罗库溴铵肌松起效时间短于单独预先给药,但对肌松程度和维持时间无明显影响.     

七氟烷对罗库溴铵、维库溴铵及阿曲库铵临床药效的影响

目的 以丙泊酚为对照,观察1.3 MAC的七氟烷对罗库溴铵、维库溴铵及阿曲库铵临床药效的影响.方法 选择60例择期腹部手术的病人随机分为6组,每组10人.七氟烷罗库溴铵组(sR组)、七氟烷维库溴铵组(SV组)及七氟烷阿曲库铵组(SA组)分别吸入1.3 MAC的七氟烷及静注芬太尼维持麻醉,丙泊酚罗库溴铵组(CR组)、丙泊酚维库溴铵组(CV组)及丙泊酚阿曲库铵组(CA组)以丙泊酚6 mg·kg-1·h-1～8 mg·kg～·h-1及芬太尼维持麻醉.监测起效时间、最大抑制程度、作用时间、维持速率、恢复时间、恢复指数.结果 七氟烷组与相应的对照组在最大抑制程度、恢复指数方面的无统计学差异,起效时间、作用时间、维持速率、恢复时间有统计学差异.结论 七氟烷能明显延长罗库溴铵、维库溴铵以及阿曲库铵的作用时间和恢复时间并减少其起效时间、维持剂量,但对最大抑制程度和恢复指数则无明显影响.     

Delayed recovery of vecuronium neuromuscular block in diabetic patients during sevoflurane anesthesia

PURPOSE: To study recovery from vecuronium-induced neuromuscular block in diabetic patients during total iv or sevoflurane anesthesia. METHODS: 30 diabetic patients were assigned to diabetes mellitus (DM)-total iv anesthesia (TIVA); (n = 15) or DM-sevoflurane (S) groups (n = 15). Thirty healthy patients were divided into control-TIVA (n = 15) or control-S groups (n = 15). In the DM-TIVA or control-TIVA groups and DM-S or control-S groups, anesthesia was maintained with propofol and fentanyl, and nitrous oxide-oxygen-sevoflurane 1.7%, respectively. After receiving vecuronium 0.1 mg.kg(-1)iv, recovery of the train-of-four (TOF) was compared among the four groups. RESULTS: Times to the return of T2, T3, or T4 in the DM-TIVA and DM-S groups were longer than in the control-TIVA and control-S groups (46.9 +/- 13.8 vs 32.2 +/- 10.7 and 32.6 +/- 8.7 min for T2, P < 0.05). T1/control in the DM-S group was less than in the control-TIVA and DM-TIVA groups 50 to 120 and 70 to 120 min after receiving vecuronium, respectively (P < 0.05). T1/control in the control-S group was less than in the control-TIVA group 80 to 120 min after receiving vecuronium (P < 0.05). TOF ratio in the DM-S group was less than in the control-TIVA, DM-TIVA, and control-S groups, 60 to 120, 80 to 120, and 80 to 120 min after receiving vecuronium, respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In diabetic patients receiving vecuronium, recovery of T1/control and TOF ratio are delayed during sevoflurane anesthesia, but not in association with total iv anesthesia.     

Neostigmine antagonism of rocuronium block during anesthesia with sevoflurance, isoflurane or propofol

PURPOSE: To examine the influence of continuing administration of sevoflurane or isoflurane during reversal of rocuronium induced neuromuscular block with neostigmine. METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients, divided into three equal groups, were randomly allocated to maintenance of anesthesia with sevoflurane, isoflurane or propofol. Neuromuscular block was induced with rocuronium and monitored using train-of-four (TOF) stimulation of the ulnar nerve and recording the force of contraction of the adductor pollicis muscle. Neostigmine was administered when the first response in TOF had recovered to 25%. At this time the volatile agent administration was stopped or propofol dosage reduced in half the patients in each group (n = 20 in each group). The times to attain TOF ratio of 0.8, and the number of patients attaining this end point within 15 min were recorded. RESULTS: The times (mean +/- SD) to recovery of the TOF ratio to 0.8 were 12.0 +/- 5.5 and 6.8 +/- 2.3 min in the sevoflurane continued and sevoflurane stopped groups, 9.0 +/- 8.3 and 5.5 +/- 3.0 min in the isoflurane continued and isoflurane stopped groups, and 5.2 +/- 2.8 and 4.7 +/- 1.5 min in the propofol continued and propofol stopped groups (P < 0.5-01). Only 9 and 15 patients in the sevoflurane and isoflurane continued groups respectively had attained a TOF ratio of 0.8 within 15 min (P < 0.001 for sevoflurane). CONCLUSIONS: The continued administration of sevoflurane, and to a smaller extent isoflurane, results in delay in attaining adequate antagonism of rocuronium induced neuromuscular block.     

Rocuronium duration of action under sevoflurane, desflurane or propofol anaesthesia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: We conducted a prospective randomized study to evaluate whether the duration of action of a single bolus dose of rocuronium is influenced by maintenance of anaesthesia with sevoflurane, desflurane or propofol infusion. METHODS: Fifty-seven ASA I-II patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery were enrolled in this study. Anaesthesia was induced with thiopental 3-5 mg kg(-1) or propofol 2.5 mg kg(-1) and fentanyl 5 microg kg(-1) and tracheal intubation was facilitated with rocuronium 0.9 mg kg(-1). Thereafter patients were randomly allocated to three different groups to receive sevoflurane, desflurane or propofol for maintenance of anaesthesia. Recovery of neuromuscular function was monitored by single twitch stimulation of the ulnar nerve and by recording the adductor pollicis response using accelerometry. Intergroup recovery times to 5% of control value of single twitch were analysed using analysis of variance with Bonferroni correction. RESULTS: The mean (95% confidence interval) recovery time to 5% of control value of single twitch during desflurane anaesthesia was 90.18 (86.11-94.25) min. Significantly shorter recovery times were observed during sevoflurane or propofol anaesthesia, 58.86 (54.73-62.99) min and 51.11 (45.47-56.74) min, respectively (P < 0.001). There were also significant differences in the recovery time between groups receiving desflurane vs. sevoflurane (P < 0.001) and desflurane vs. propofol (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Desflurane anaesthesia significantly prolongs the duration of action of rocuronium at 0.9 mg kg(-1) single bolus dose, compared to sevoflurane or propofol anaesthesia maintenance regimens.     

Infusion requirements and reversibility of rocuronium at the corrugator supercilii and adductor pollicis muscles

Background: The aim of this study is to compare the infusion rates required to maintain a constant neuromuscular block and the reversibility of rocuronium at the corrugator supercilii muscle (CSM) and the adductor pollicis muscle (APM).
Methods: We randomly allocated 30 female patients into two groups of 15 patients each to monitor neuromuscular block at either the CSM or the APM. After induction of anaesthesia and laryngeal mask insertion, contraction of the CSM to the facial nerve stimulation or that of the APM to the ulnar nerve stimulation was quantified using an acceleromyograph during 1.0–1.5% end-tidal sevoflurane anaesthesia. All the patients received a bolus of 1 mg/kg rocuronium. When the first twitch (T1) of train-of-four (TOF) recovered to 10% of the control, rocuronium infusion was commenced and maintained at T1 of 10% of the control at the CSM or APM for 120 min. Immediately after rocuronium infusion was discontinued, the time required for 0.04 mg/kg neostigmine-facilitated recovery to a TOF ratio of 0.9 was recorded.
Results: Rocuronium infusion dose after a lapse of 120 min was significantly larger in the CSM than in the APM [7.1 (2.3) vs. 4.7 (2.6) μg/kg/min; P =0.001]. The time for facilitated recovery was shorter in the CSM than in the APM [11.4 (3.8) vs. 16.2 (6.0) min; P =0.016].
Conclusion: A larger rocuronium infusion dose was required to maintain a constant neuromuscular block at the CSM. Neostigmine-mediated reversal was faster at the CSM.     

Early and late reversal of rocuronium and vecuronium with neostigmine in adults and children.

We investigated the influence of the timing of neostigmine administration on recovery from rocuronium or vecuronium neuromuscular blockade. Eighty adults and 80 children were randomized to receive 0.45 mg/kg rocuronium or 0.075 mg/kg vecuronium during propofol/fentanyl/N2O anesthesia. Neuromuscular blockade was monitored by train-of-four (TOF) stimulation and adductor pollicis electromyography. Further randomization was made to control (no neostigmine) or reversal with 0.07 mg/kg neostigmine/0.01 mg/kg glycopyrrolate given 5 min after relaxant, or first twitch (T1) recovery of 1%, 10%, or 25%. Another eight adults and eight children received 1.5 mg/kg succinylcholine. At each age, spontaneous recovery of T1 and TOF was similar after rocuronium and vecuronium administration but was more rapid in children (P < 0.05). Spontaneous recovery to TOF0.7 after rocuronium and vecuronium administration in adults was 45.7 +/- 11.5 min and 52.5 +/- 15.6 min; in children, it was 28.8 +/- 7.8 min and 34.6 +/- 9.0 min. Neostigmine accelerated recovery in all reversal groups (P < 0.05) by approximately 40%, but the times from relaxant administration to TOF0.7 were similar and independent of the timing of neostigmine administration. Recovery to T1 90% after succinylcholine was similar in adults (9.4 +/- 5.0 min) and children (8.4 +/- 1.1 min) and was shorter than recovery to TOF0.7 in any reversal group after rocuronium or vecuronium administration. Recovery from rocuronium and vecuronium blockade after neostigmine administration was more rapid in children than in adults. Return of neuromuscular function after reversal was not influenced by the timing of neostigmine administration. These results suggest that reversal of intense rocuronium or vecuronium neuromuscular blockade need not be delayed until return of appreciable neuromuscular function has been demonstrated. Implications: These results suggest that reversal of intense rocuronium or vecuronium neuromuscular blockade need not be delayed until return of appreciable neuromuscular function has been demonstrated. Although spontaneous and neostigmine-assisted recovery is more rapid in children than in adults, in neither is return of function as rapid as after succinylcholine administration.     

The comparative effect of single dose mivacurium during sevoflurane or propofol anesthesia in children

BACKGROUND: We aimed to randomly compare intubating conditions, recovery characteristics and neuromuscular effects of single dose of mivacurium (0.2 mg.kg(-1)) during sevoflurane vs. propofol anesthesia in 60 healthy children, undergoing inguinal surgery. METHODS: All children were randomly allocated to receive 2 mg.kg(-1) propofol iv or sevoflurane 8% inspired concentration for induction of anesthesia. Anaesthesia was maintained with 66% nitrous oxide in oxygen and 100-120 microg.kg(-1) propofol or sevoflurane approximately 2-3% inspired concentration with controlled ventilation. The ulnar nerve was stimulated at the wrist by a train-of four (TOF) stimulus every 20 s and neuromuscular function was measured at the adductor pollicis. When the response to TOF was stable, 0.2 mg.kg(-1) mivacurium was given. The trachea was intubated successfully at the first attempt in all patients. RESULTS: Onset time following a single dose of mivacurium was shorter in the sevoflurane group (2.99 min), than in the propofol group (4.42 min). The times to 25, 50, 75, and 90% recovery were significantly longer in the sevoflurane group (13.1, 15.7, 18.6, and 21.2 min, respectively) than in the propofol group (11.4, 13.2, 14.4, and 17.2 min respectively). TOF ratios of 50, 70, and 90% were significantly occurred later in sevoflurane group than propofol group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that when compared with propofol group, the sevoflurane group had an accelerated onset and a delayed recovery of neuromuscular block induced by mivacurium in children.     

Time course and train-of-four fade of mivacurium block during sevoflurane and intravenous anaesthesia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Volatile anaesthetics inhibit nicotinic acetylcholine receptors at clinically relevant concentrations with higher affinity for the neuronal nicotinic receptor. The inhibitory effects of propofol on nicotinic receptors have only been documented at supraclinical concentrations. The aim of this study was to determine recovery properties and train-of-four (TOF) fade of mivacurium during sevoflurane and propofol anaesthesia, in order to examine any differences both in the enhancement of the neuromuscular block (postjunctional effects) and in TOF fade (prejunctional effects). METHODS: Twenty ASA I-II adult patients were randomly allocated to maintenance of anaesthesia with sevoflurane (end-tidal concentration 2%) or propofol. Neuromuscular block was assessed by acceleromyography and a single dose of mivacurium (0.15 mg kg(-1)) was administered (in the sevoflurane group after 30 min of exposure to sevoflurane). We measured time for recovery of the first twitch of the TOF (T1) from 25-75%, time from 25% recovery of T1 to achieving a TOF ratio (TOFR) of 0.8, TOFR at 50%, 75% and 90% recovery of T1, and height of T1 at TOFR of 0.7 and 0.9. Data were tested using t-test for independent samples. RESULTS: Recovery times (mean (95% confidence interval, CI)) of mivacurium in the sevoflurane group (T1 25-75%, 11.3 (8.1-14.5) min; T1 25%-TOFR0.8, 19.1 (15.7-22.5) min) were significantly longer (P < 0.05) than in the propofol group (T1 25-75%, 6.5 (5.2-7.7) min; T1 25%-TOFR0.8, 11.3 (7.8-10.3) min). No differences were found in the relations between TOFR and T1 or vice versa, between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Recovery times after a single dose of mivacurium were prolonged by sevoflurane compared with propofol but no differences in TOF fade were observed between the two anaesthetics.