Effects of dexamethasone on neuromuscular blocking efficiency of atracurium

[Objective] To observe the effects of dexamethasone on neuromuscular blocking efficiency of atracurium.[Methods] Eighty patients with ASA I-II who underwent thyroid surgery were randomly divided into two groups : dexamethasone group,the patients received intravenously 10 mg dexamethasone before anesthesia induction,then were given midazolam 0.1 mg/kg,fentanyl 4 μg/kg,propofol 2 mg/kg,atracurium 0.6 mg/kg;control group,the patients were given same volume saline before anesthesia induction,then anesthesia induction were taken with same drugs and dosage.Train-of-four(TOF)were applied to ulnar nerve-adductor pollicis,time of T1 disappeared and recovered at first time was recorded.[Results] Time of onset of atracurium of Dexamethasone group(289.0±19.7)s prolonged significantly than that of control group(226.4±11.2)s(P0.05);and recovery time of atracurium of Dexamethasone group(13.7±0.5)min was shorter significantly than that of control group(20.8±3.2)min(P0.05).[Conclusion] Dexamethasone may attenuate the efficiency of neuromascular blockage of atracurium.