PANCURONIUM IN CAESAREAN SECTION AND ITS PLACENTAL TRANSFER

Pancuronium bromide was used in 49 patients undergoing repeatelective Caesarean section. In 26 patients who received onlypancuronium 0.1 mg kg^–1, pancuronium was detected in allumbilical venous or arterial samples (0.12 µg ml^–1).In 23 other patients who received suxamethonium 1.0 mg kg^–1followed by pancuronium 0.05 mg kg^–1, pancuronium wasdetected in fetal blood 2 min after injection; the concentrationof pancuronium in umbilical venous or arterial samples in 14subjects was 0.08 µg ml^–1, and less than 0.05 µgml^–1 in nine subjects. There was no evidence that suchconcentrations of pancuronium were detrimental to the fetus.The use of suxamethonium before pancuronium resulted in reductionof pancuronium dosage, induction-delivery time, and fetal concentrationsof pancuronium, and was associated with better condition ofthe neonate.