Electroconvulsive therapy procedure

Nondepolarizing blockers are used to relax skeletal muscle for surgical procedures, to prevent dislocations and fractures associated with electroconvulsive therapy, and to control muscle spasms in tetanus. They do not produce anesthesia or analgesia. 

Potter WZ, Rudorfer MV Electroconvulsive therapy—a modem medical procedure. N Engl J Med 328 882-883, 1993... 

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) A procedure used in the treatment of severe depression where an electric current is briefly applied through... 

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) of psychiatric disorders occasionally is complicated by trauma to the patient the seizures induced may cause dislocations or fractures. Inasmuch as the rtmscu-lar component of the convulsion is not essential for benefit from the procedure, neuromuscular blocking agents and thiopental are employed. Succinylcholine or mivacurium is used most often because of the brevity of relaxation. 

Excessive demands on their time and an unjust malpractice system damage physician morale. Some doctors have even stopped practicing medicine over these issues others refuse to perform certain procedures. There are communities, for example, where none of the obstetricians will deliver babies and no psychiatrist will perform electroconvulsive therapy. If you have a complicated pregnancy or suffer an intractable depression, good luck ... 

Treatment of depression is essential in minimizing the disruptive influence that this disease has on the patient s quality of life, and on his or her relationship with their family and job. Procedures ranging from psychotherapy to electroconvulsive treatment can be prescribed, depending on the severity and type. Drug treatment plays a major role in alleviating and preventing the occurrence of major depression, and this form of therapy is presented here. 

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