Changes

Muscle relaxation is part of a ''balanced anaesthetic technique''. Most anaesthetic agents produce a mild-moderate amount of muscle relaxation and often this is not sufficient. Increased muscle relaxation can be produced by increasing anaesthetic depth, the use of local anaesthetic techniques, or the use of centrally or peripherally acting muscle relaxants. However, it is important to realise that muscle relaxants have no anaesthetic or analgesic effect themselves and so should never be used alone.  

Muscle relaxation is part of a ''balanced anaesthetic technique''. Most anaesthetic agents produce a mild-moderate amount of muscle relaxation and often this is not sufficient. Increased muscle relaxation can be produced by increasing anaesthetic depth, the use of local anaesthetic techniques, or the use of centrally or peripherally acting muscle relaxants. However, it is important to realise that muscle relaxants have no anaesthetic or analgesic effect themselves and so should never be used alone.  

'''Neuromuscular blocking agents'''(NMBA) are peripherally acting muscle relaxants. They can be classified as [[Neuromuscular Blockers#Depolarising Neuromuscular Blockers|'''depolarising''']] or '''non-depolarising''' depending on whether they are competitive or not.  

'''Neuromuscular blocking agents'''(NMBA) are peripherally acting muscle relaxants. They can be classified as [[Neuromuscular Blockers#Depolarising Neuromuscular Blockers|'''depolarising''']] or [[Neuromuscular Blockers#Non-Depolarising Neuromuscular Blockers|'''non-depolarising''']] depending on whether they are competitive or not.  

==Neuromuscular Transmission==

==Neuromuscular Transmission==

==Monitoring after NMBA Administration==

==Monitoring after NMBA Administration==

NMBAs act on all skeletal muscles, which includes respiratory muscles. This means that it is essential to have facilities to provide controlled ventilation. Muscles have different sensitivities for NMBAs, with the diaphragm being particularly resistant making it the last to be paralysed and the first to recover. However, laryngeal tissues appear to be relatively sensitive, meaning it may take longer for these tissues to recover after administation. This makes patients at risk of ''upper airway obstruction'' after the endotracheal tube has been removed.  

[[Dissociative Agents|NMBAs]] act on all skeletal muscles, which includes respiratory muscles. This means that it is essential to have facilities to provide controlled ventilation. Muscles have different sensitivities for NMBAs, with the diaphragm being particularly resistant making it the last to be paralysed and the first to recover. However, laryngeal tissues appear to be relatively sensitive, meaning it may take longer for these tissues to recover after administation. This makes patients at risk of ''upper airway obstruction'' after the endotracheal tube has been removed.  

*Replacement of dislocations and fractures.

*Replacement of dislocations and fractures.

*Intraocular procedures.

*Intraocular procedures.

==Depolarising Neuromuscular Blockers==

==Depolarising Neuromuscular Blockers==

===Clinical Uses===

===Clinical Uses===

Suxamethaonium is used to aid endotracheal intubation of cats.

Suxamethaonium is used to aid endotracheal intubation of cats.

==Non-Depolarising Neuromuscular Blockers==

==Non-Depolarising Neuromuscular Blockers==

'''Non-depolarising agents''' are competitive neuromuscular blocking agents. Unlike [[Depolarising Neuromuscular Blockers|depolarising agents]] there are a number of different drugs available for use. They should not be used on concious patients.  

'''Non-depolarising agents''' are competitive neuromuscular blocking agents. Unlike depolarising agents there are a number of different drugs available for use. They should not be used on concious patients.  

===Mechanism of Action===

===Mechanism of Action===