The effect of suxamethonium on the intragastric pressure in infants and children.

The effect of intravenous administration of suxamethonium on the intragastric pressure was investigated in thirty paediatric patients after induction of anaesthesia. In most patients there was a fall, while in five older children slight rise occurred, the maximum was 4 cm H2O. This seems to be related to the absence of strong muscle fasciculations, especially in infants and young children. Because of the lack of rise in intragastric pressure, and because of the antagonistic actions of the depolarizing and antidepolarizing types of block, prior administration of tubocurarine is not necessary in paediatric patients with a "full stomach".