USE OF PROPANDID AND LIGNOCAINE TO MODIFY THE INCREASE IN SERUM POTASSIUM CONCENTRATION FOLLOWING INJECTION OF SUXAMETHONIUM

A technique of general anaesthesia involving the use of propanidid,nitrous oxide, oxygen and halothane followed by a slow injectionof suxamethonium and lignocaine is described. The techniquedecreased the increase in serum potassium concentration thatfollows the injection of suxamethonium and, it is suggested,possesses advantages over the existing practice of the injectionof non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking drugs before suxamethoniumin an attempt to reduce the frequency of serious cardiac arrhythmia.