Muscle fasciculation caused by succinylcholine

What is Muscle Fasciculation Caused by Succinylcholine?

Muscle fasciculation caused by succinylcholine (also known as "Succs" or "SAF") is a type of muscle twitch that's seen when a person receives an injection of the muscle relaxant drug, succinylcholine. It's a common side effect seen when succinylcholine is used as an anaesthetic. It's an involuntary, prolonged, repetitive contractions of isolated muscle fibres that causes visible twitching.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of muscle fasciculation caused by succinylcholine is visible twitching of the injected muscle or muscle group. This often occurs within a few seconds to minutes after the drug is administered. For most people, the twitching tends to occur in a jerky or rippling fashion and quickly ameliorates. However, in rare cases, the twitching can persist for several minutes or longer. Other symptoms associated with Succs include:

• Muscle stiffness
• Muscle tenderness
• Pain with movement
• Muscle spasms
• Difficulty breathing
• Loss of consciousness
• Increased blood pressure

Risk Factors

There are certain factors that may increase the risk of experiencing muscle fasciculation when a person receives succinylcholine. These include:

• Age: Children and young adults are more likely to experience this side effect.
• Gender: Female patients may be at a slightly higher risk of succinylcholine-induced muscle fasciculation.
• Body mass index: Obese individuals may have a greater risk of experiencing this side effect.
• Heart rate: Patients with a higher heart rate (greater than 120 beats per minute) may be more likely to experience muscle fasciculation caused by succinylcholine.

Treatment

In most cases, the muscle fasciculation caused by succinylcholine resolves on its own without any treatment. However, if the twitching persists, then medical intervention may be necessary. Treatment may include:

• Administering a muscle relaxant to reduce the muscle twitching.
• Administering a sedative to reduce anxiety.
• Administering a pain reliever to reduce discomfort.
• Administering a bronchodilator to relieve any difficulty breathing.

Conclusion

Succinylcholine-induced muscle fasciculation is a common side effect of succinylcholine injections. It may cause visible twitching in the injected muscle or muscle group. It typically resolves on its own but may require medical intervention in some cases. Risk factors for this side effect include age, gender, body mass index, and heart rate.