tokens: The incidence and severity of succinylcholine - associated myalgia was determined in 64 patients pretreated with saline or dexamethasone before succinylcholine ( n = 32 for each ). Incidence and severity of myalgia did not differ significantly between the two groups : 15 patients in the dexamethasone group complained of myalgia compared with 18 patients in the saline group , and severe myalgia was reported by five patients and three patients , respectively ( not significant ). At 48 h after surgery , 12 patients in both groups still suffered from myalgia ( not significant ). In addition , interleukin - 6 ( IL - 6 ) as an early marker of inflammation was assessed in a subgroup of 10 patients pretreated with saline .