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Lower Esophageal Sphincter Integrity Is Maintained During Succinylcholine-Induced Fasciaculations in Dogs With "Full" Stomachs

Department of Anesthesiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida.

Abstract

During succinylcholine-induced muscle fasciculations, gas-troesophageal barrier pressure in fasted adult dogs (n = 10) was compared by esophageal manometry with that in the same dogs with full stomachs. After fasting, fasciculations did not increase significantly either mean intragastric pressure (4.7 ± 1.3 mm Hg before; 5.2 ± 1.7 mm Hg during) or lower esophageal sphincter pressure (35.4 ± 21.4 mm Hg before; 40.6 ± 17.5 mm Hg during). Filling the dogs' stomachs with 300 mL of saline significantly increased both mean intragastric pressure (from 3.8 ± 2.2 to 7.4 ± 1.4 mm Hg) and mean lower esophageal sphincter pressure (from 20.2 ± 6.8 to 28.6 ± 14.8 mm Hg). Fasciculations did not produce a further increase in either mean intragastric or mean lower esophageal sphincter pressure. Most importantly, in all animals, under all conditions, gastroesophageal barrier pressure remained positive (range, 6.0--65.5 mm Hg) and therefore served as a barrier to passive regurgitation.

Key Words: GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT, ESOPHAGUS, STOMACH. • NEUROMUSCULAR RELAXANTS, SUCCINYLCHOLINE.