Comparison of intubating conditions with atracurium, vecuronium and pancuronium

A blind trial, comparing time of onset of satisfactory conditions for tracheal intubation with atracurium 0.6 mg/kg, vecuronium 0.1 mg/kg and pancuronium 0.1 mg/kg is described. Intubation was attempted at 30-second intervals in 60 patients, randomly allocated to receive one of the above muscle relaxants. Patients receiving atracurium 0.6 mg/kg could be intubated from 30 to 120 seconds. Patients receiving either vecuronium 0.1 mg/kg or pancuronium 0.1 mg/kg were able to be intubated between 60 and 240 seconds. The results showed a statistically significant earlier onset of satisfactory intubating conditions with atracurium than with vecuronium or pancuronium in these doses but no difference between vecuronium and pancuronium.