Parecoxib sodium pretreatment reduces myoclonus after etomidate: A prospective, double-blind, randomized clinical trial
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OBJECTIVE

Myoclonus induced by etomidate during induction of general anesthesia is a common phenomenon. This prospective, randomized, saline-controlled clinical study was performed to evaluate the effect of parecoxib sodium pretreatment on the incidence and severity of etomidate-induced myoclonus.

METHODS

60 patients, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II, aged 20 to 60 years, who were scheduled to undergo elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia, were allocated randomly into one of two groups to receive parecoxib sodium 40 mg intravenous (group P, n = 30) or the same volume of saline (group S, n = 30) 30 minutes before administration of etomidate (0.3 mg/kg). Myoclonus was assessed on a scale of 0 - 3. Postoperative side effects were recorded.

RESULTS

The two groups were comparable with regard to baseline characteristics. The incidence of myoclonus was significantly lower in the parecoxib sodium group (11/30; 37%) than in the saline group (21/30; 70%) (p < 0.05). The severity of myoclonic movements was also significantly reduced by parecoxib sodium (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to postoperative side effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Pretreatment with intravenous injection of parecoxib sodium 40 mg significantly reduced the incidence and severity of etomidate-induced myoclonus without significant side effects.
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