The Potency of Succinylcholine in Obese Adolescents

Abstract

The potency estimates for succinylcholine in obese (body mass index > 30 kg/m2) adolescents are comparable to those in similarly aged nonobese adolescents when dosing is calculated based on total body mass and not lean body mass. When a rapid sequence induction of anesthesia is considered in an obese adolescent, the dose of succinylcholine should be based on actual (not lean) body mass.