Abstract: Objective To explore the feasibility of microsurgery of radical mastoidectomy under general anesthesia without muscle relaxant. Methods 60 patients with chronic otitis media under going microsurgery of radical mastoidectomy were divided into two groups randomly, with (MR group, n=30) or without (NMR group, n=30) muscle relaxant. For all the patients, SBP, DBP, MAP and HR were recorded at the time of skin incision (T1), drilling bone (T2), and extubation (T3). Meanwhile, the consumption of Propofol and Remifentanil, body movements, awakening time, time of extubation and adverse reactions were also monitored. Results There were significant differences in SBP, DBP, MAP and HR at T1, T2 and T3 between the two groups (P<0.05), but not in the trend of changes with time (P>0.05). The recovering time and time of extubation in NMR group were shorter than those of MR group (P<0.05). The consumption of Propofol and Remifentani was more in NMR group (P<0.05). The body movement showed no difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The adverse reactions of MR group, including hypoxemia, glossocoma, were more common than NMR group (P<0.05). Conclusion Microsurgery of radical mastoidectomy under general anesthesia without muscle relaxant is safer, more satisfying and feasible than that with muscle relaxant.

Key words: Muscle relaxant, Radical mastoidectomy, General anesthesia