Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 5/14/2007

Question
What are the primary advantages of sux administration (i.e. paralyzing the patient) over simply sedating them with etomidate? Does etomidate alone reduce or totally eliminate a gag reflex? Thanks very much.

Answer
Gag relex is not the problem. That goes away with anesthesia. The problem is paralysis of the vocal cords to allow for intubation. Without muscle relaxation, patients are at risk for larygospasm and bronchospasm. There are other muscle relaxants besides Sux but Sux is the fastest acting (on and off).

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston