[Evaluation of the intubating conditions and maintenance doses of rocuronium]

To assess intubating conditions after administration of rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg at 60 or 90 s and neuromuscular blocking effects of rocuronium.

Thirty-two patients were randomly designated to two groups: 60 s group and 90 s group. Anesthesia consisted of thiopentone, fentanyl, N2O/O2 and enflurane. After a 2 x ED95 dose the trachea was intubated at 60 or 90 s and the intubating conditions were recorded. After intubation was finished, patients were allocated randomly to receive either intravenous infusion or bolus injection of rocuronium to maintain surgical relaxation.

Intubating conditions were not different between the two groups and were found to be clinically acceptable (good or excellent) in all patients. The maintenance of surgical relaxation was satisfactory either with repeated bolus and infusion of rocuronium.

Intubation can be performed under good to excellent conditions within 60-90 seconds after a bolus dose of 0.6 mg/kg rocuronium. This indicates that rocuronium may be a suitable alternative to succinycholine during rapid-sequence induction of anesthesia.