[Rocuronium or vecuronium for intubation for short operations in the preschool age? Effects on time in the operating...

This prospective randomized study compares the effects of rocuronium (R) and vecuronium (V) on the early postoperative period in infants. Forty-eight infants between the ages of three and six, scheduled for elective ENT procedures, were studied after prior approval of local ethics committee and informed parental consent. All children were premedicated with chlorprotixene and belladonna. Anaesthesia was induced with 5 mg/kg thiopentone and 1 vol.-% halothane. Subsequently, 0.4 mg/kg rocuronium or 0.075 mg/kg vecuronium were administered, respectively. Anaesthesia and post-operative care were conducted by independent anaesthetists, who were unaware of the drug used and of the relaxometric data obtained. All children were monitored in the recovery room by pulse oximetry until they reached a Steward Score of 6. Demographic data did not differ between the groups. No differences were recorded between the non-depolarizing relaxants regarding intubation time (R: 24.1 +/- 4.2 min, V: 25.8 +/- 6.8 min) and the time interval from end extubation to leaving the operating theatre (R: 2.3 +/- 0.8 min, V: 2.6 +/- 1.2 min), respectively. Similarly, no differences in SaO2 were noted during the recovery period in the recovery room. Significant differences between the non-depolarizing relaxants were found in the TOF-ratios at extubation (R: 0.73 +/- 0.31 min, V: 0.48 +/- 0.34 min) and arrival in the recovery room (R: 0.88 +/- 0.21 min, V: 0.69 +/- 0.26 min). 0.4 mg/kg Rocuronium and 0.075 mg/kg vecuronium can be used for intubation during short operations on pre-school children. Rocuronium may be the better alternative, due to its faster neuromuscular recovery properties.