Rocuronium is a new non-depolarizing steroidal neuromuscular blocking agent, which has rapid onset and an intermediate duration of action. The purpose of this study is to compare intubating conditions between a dose of 0.6mg/kg rocuronium and 1 mg/kg suxamethonium. Following approval from the ethical committee, 40 ASA III patients (either sex, aged 23-70 years old) were scheduled for elective surgery. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups according to administration of rocuronium 0.6mg/kg or suxamethonium 1mg/kg. Induction of anaesthesia was performed with thiopental 6mg/kg, fentanyl 1pg/kg, and maintained by isoflurane in 70% nitrous oxide/oxygen and adding fentanyl when required. EMG response of the adductor pollicis was monitored by TOF-Guard stimulator (Biometer) at 20 second intervals after train of four stimulation of the ulnar nerve at the wrist with supramaximal stimuli. 60 seconds after the administration (rocuronium or suxamethonium) endotracheal intubation was performed by a separate anaesthetist and intubating conditions were assessed and scored as excellent, good, poor and inadequate. The lag time and the onset time were the parameters measured. The lag times of two agents were similar. The onset time of rocuronium was found longer than suxamethonium. Intubating conditions after rocuronium or suxamethonium were found clinically acceptable (good or excellent) in 90% patients.
In conclusion a dose of rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg offers the same lag times and intubating conditions as suxamethonium 1 mg/kg in 60 seconds and it may be a good alternative to suxamethonium.
Key words: Rocuronium Bromide, Suxamethonium, Intubating Conditions
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