Many drugs have an influence on neuromuscular transmission. In clinical practice, neuromuscular blocking agents are commonly used, but even in the absence of neuromuscular blocking agents, anesthetic drugs can influence neuromuscular transmission. Especially volatile anesthetic agents have a clinical impact on neuromuscular transmission, they have been shown to prolong and deepen the effect of neuromuscular blocking agents. But even in the absence of neuromuscular blocking agents, volatile anesthetics can impair neuromuscular transmission. One mechanism of action is the desensitization of the acetylcholine receptors by shifting them from a normal to a desensitized state. This effect can weaken neuromuscular transmission by reducing the margin of safety that normally exists at the neuromuscular junction, or can cause an apparent increase in the capacity of neuromuscular blocking agents to block transmission. In this study, the influence of sevoflurane and propofol on the maximum force, maximum speed of contraction and relaxation will be measured at the adductor pollicis in patients having general anesthesia without the use of neuromuscular blocking agents. Maximum force and speed of contraction and relaxation will be measured before and after anesthesia by either sevoflurane or propofol. Primary outcome is the influence of either anesthetic agent on maximum muscular force and speed of contraction - relaxation, and if this influence is greater for volatile anesthetic agents than for intravenous anesthetic agents.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
48
Anesthesia will be maintained by sevoflurane.
Anesthesia will be maintained by propofol.
CHU Brugmann
Brussels, Belgium
Maximum force at the adductor pollicis
Maximum force developed by a voluntary contraction of the adductor pollicis will be measured during isometric contraction. Maximum force developped before and after anesthesia will be compared. The difference in force (Newton) will be measured.
Time frame: 3 hours
Maximum speed of contraction at the adductor pollicis
Maximum speed of contraction developed by a voluntary contraction of the adductor pollicis will be measured during isometric contraction. Maximum speed of contraction developped before and after anesthesia will be compared. The difference in force (Newton/seconds) will be measured.
Time frame: 3 hours
Maximum speed of relaxation at the adductor pollicis
Maximum speed of relaxation developed by a voluntary contraction of the adductor pollicis will be measured during isometric contraction. Maximum speed of relaxation developped before and after anesthesia will be compared. The difference in force (Newton/seconds) will be measured.
Time frame: 3 hours
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