The effect of the intravenous injection of succinylcholine on micturition: an electromyographic study.

Abstract

SUMMARYWe have studied the influence of intravenously administered succinylcholine on micturition in ten healthy adult subjects. The activity of the striated urethral sphincter was determined by electromyography. As a comparison, the activity of the first interosseous muscle of the hand was also recorded.We found a decidedly increased resistance to the paralysing effect of succinylcholine on the striated urethral sphincter as compared to the muscle of the hand. Artificial respiration became necessary even when a barely noticeable reduction of the activity in the urethral sphincter had been recorded.Eight of our subjects could not begin the act of micturition after administration of succinylcholine, despite their having been trained before the experiment to void in a recumbent position and after catheterisation.One subject could not begin and interrupt the act of micturition until some of the striated urethral activity had been regained following administration of succinylcholine.One subject could both start and interrupt the act of micturition after the activity of the striated muscle in the external urethra had disappeared completely following an injection of succinylcholine.This investigation has been supported by grants from the Swedish Medical Research Council and the Medical Society of Goteborg, Sweden.