The effects of magnesium sulphate on succinylcholine-induced fasciculation during induction of general anaesthesia

Objectives: To investigate the effects of magnesium sulphate on succinylcholine-induced fasciculation in patients during the induction of general anaesthesia. Methods: The double-blind randomised clinical trial was conducted in 2012 at Tohid and Besat Hospitals in Sanandaj, Iran, on patients who were candidates for surgery under general anaesthesia. Patients were selected and divided into two equal groups of cases and controls using block randomisation. The cases received magnesium sulphate, while the controls received normal saline. SPSS 18 was used for statistical analysis. Results: Of the 100 subjects in the study, 49(49%) were men and 51(51%) were women (p 0.072). The mean age of the two groups were 37.5±12.2 years and 37.7±12 years (p 0.9). There was significant difference between the two groups in terms of the degree of fasciculation and muscle fasciculation (p 0.001). The difference between potassium levels in the two groups was not significant before anaesthesia (p 0.05), but it was significant after anaesthesia (p 0.001). Conclusions: Magnesium sulphate can prevent and reduce the degree of fasciculation after anaesthesia. Therefore it can be used to prevent fasciculation.