Facilitation of fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation with magnesium sulfate: A double-blind randomized study

A double-blinded, prospective, and randomized study was designed to determine the efficacy and tolerability of intravenous (IV) magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) to facilitate fiberoptic bronchoscopic (FOB) nasotracheal intubations.

A total of 120 patients scheduled to undergo elective awake fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation, while they were anesthetized for elective surgery were randomly allocated to one of three groups: The control Group S (n = 40) received 100 ml (50 ml 0.9% saline + 50 ml paracetamol) was infused in 10 min and direct IV 5 ml 0.9% normal saline, Group MD (n = 40): Received midazolam IV in a dose of 0.07 mg/kg in 5 ml 0.9% normal saline and 100 ml 0.9% was infused in 10 min and Group MS (n = 40): IV 45 mg/kg MgSO4 10 min in 100 ml of 0.9% normal saline through 10 min and direct IV 5 ml 0.9% normal saline.

Time required for nasotracheal intubation was significantly less in group Groups MD and MS, as compared with the control group, but not significant between the two groups. (Group MD: 9.05 + 1.95 min, Group MS 3.75 + 0.75 min and Group S 16.85 + 1.7 min). However, the number of fiberoptic intubation was significantly more in the MD and MS groups, as compared with the control group. Easy intubation (control group: 0, Group MD: 25 and Group MS: 35), moderate difficulty (control group: 5, Group MD: 12 and Group MS: 4) and difficult (control group: 35, Group MD: 3 and Group MS: 1). Procedure adverse events were significantly lower in Group MS. None of the patients in Group MS had procedure hypoxia, but it occurred in 10 patients of Group MD and 20 patients in Group S. Six patients in Group S and two in Group MD had procedure apnea whereas, none of the patients in the MS group experienced this. After medication and just before intubation heart rate and mean arterial pressure were significantly less in Groups MD and MS, as compared to the control group (Group MD: 77 + 7.7 beat/min, Group MS: 70 + 5.6 beat/min and Group S: 80 + 7.8 beat/min) (Group MD: 90 + 8.5 mmHg, Group MS: 80 + 8.1 mmHg and Group S: 105 + 10.5 mmHg). This difference however, significant between Group MD and Group MS.

Intravenous MgSO4 improved awaken FOB intubation without adverse hemodynamic or respiratory effects.