Abstract:Objective To investigate the effect of CO2 pneumoperitoneum on the duration of neuromuscular blockade following a single bolus dose of mivacurium in young children undergoing laparoscopic surgery. Methods Totally 61 cases of children (ASA Ⅰ, aged 6 months to 3 years) with selective inguinal hernia repair were randomly divided into laparoscopic surgery group (L group, n = 31) and conventional open surgery group (O group, n = 30). Patients were induced with propofol 2.5 mg/kg, fentanyl 2 μg/kg and mivacurium 0.2 mg intravenously. Anaesthesia was maintained with 50% N2O, 50% oxygen and sevoflurane to maintain a MAC value in the range of 1.2-1.4 MAC. The time of complete disappearance of T1 (Ta) (complete onset time of muscle relaxant) was recorded using TOF stimulation by muscle relaxation monitor; the control time from T1 disappeared to T1 recovery to 25% of the control value (Tb) (effective time of muscle relaxant) were recorded. The levels of plasma cholinesterase (CHE), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (TBIL) were measured 24 h before and after operation. Results There were no significant differences in the levels of Ta and Tb between the two groups (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the levels of CHE, ALT, AST and TBIL between the two groups 24 h before and after operation (P > 0.05). Conclusions The carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum has no effect on the complete onset time or the effective time in young children.