The effect of lidocaine on succinylcholine-induced rise in intraocular pressure.

The effect of lidocaine on the increase of intraocular pressure induced by succinylcholine was studied in patients 6 to 85 years of age. Three groups of patients were studied. One group of eight patients received lidocaine 1 mg.kg-1 before succinylcholine and a control group of ten patients did not have lidocaine. Anaesthesia was induced with thiopentone 5 mg.kg-1 and maintained with nitrous oxide 50 per cent with oxygen and halothane 1.0-1.5 per cent. The tracheae of all patients were intubated. Lidocaine in doses of 1.0 to 2.0 mg.kg-1 did not prevent transient rise in intraocular pressure following administration of succinylcholine and tracheal intubation.