Comparison of intubating conditions following administration of low-dose rocuronium or succinylcholine in adults: A...

Though rocuronium has a rapid onset of neuromuscular blockade like succinylcholine without the latter's adverse effects, its use is limited due to its prolonged action.

Aim was to evaluate whether reducing the intubating dose of rocuronium shortens its duration of action, yet provides clinically acceptable intubating conditions.

tt was a prospective, randomized, and double blind trial.

100 American Society of Anaesthesiologists Physical Status (ASAPS) I or II patients aged between 18-65 years scheduled for elective surgery were randomly allotted one of the four rocuronium groups (rocuronium dose of 0.3 mg/kg intubated at 60 s or at 90 s, rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg intubated at 60 s or at 90 s) orsuccinylcholine group (succinylcholine 1.0 mg/kg intubated at 60 s) and intubating conditions were assessed with: Ease of laryngoscopy, vocal cord position, and reaction to insertion of tracheal tube and cuff inflation.

Statistical tests used were analysis of variance (ANOVA), Chi-Square test, Repeated measures of ANOVA and Mann-Whitney U test.

Rocuronium in dosage of 0.3 mg/kg gaveclinically acceptable intubating conditions in 35% and 60% subjects at 60 s or 90 s, respectively, whereas in dosage of 0.6 mg/kg, intubating conditions were acceptable in 80% and 100% subjects intubated at 60 s and 90 s.

Rocuronium in dose of 0.3 mg/kg does not give clinically acceptable intubating conditions at 60 or 90 s but has shorter duration of action. Rocuronium in dose of 0.6 mg/kg gives clinically acceptable intubating conditions at 60 or 90 s, comparable to succinylcholine 1 mg/kg.