Abstract

Background: Rocuronium, like succinylcholine, has a rapid onset of neuromuscular blockade; but, unlike succinylcholine, rocuronium does not have the deleterious effects that are associated with the use of the latter. Nevertheless, its usage is restricted because of its protracted activity. The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not lowering the intubating dose of rocuronium shortened its duration of action while still providing intubating conditions that were clinically acceptable. This was a prospective, randomised, and blinded study for both participants and observers.
Material and Methods: One hundred Indian patients aged between 18 and 65 years who were scheduled for elective surgery were randomly assigned to one of the four rocuronium groups (rocuronium dose of 0.6 mg/kg intubated at 60 s or at 90 s, rocuronium 0.9 mg/kg intubated at 60 s or at 90 s) or succinylcholine group (succinylcholine dose of 1.5 mg/kg intubated at 60 s). Intubating conditions Analysis of variance (ANOVA), Chi-square test, repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Mann–Whitney U test were the four statistical tests that were carried out.
Results: Intubating conditions were deemed clinically acceptable in 35% of subjects at 60 seconds and 60% of subjects at 90 seconds when rocuronium was administered in a dosage of 0.6 mg/kg; however, when rocuronium was administered in a dosage of 0.9 mg/kg, intubating conditions were deemed clinically acceptable in 80% of subjects at 60 seconds and 100% of subjects at 90 seconds.
Conclusion: When administered at a dose of 0.6 mg/kg, rocuronium did not produce clinically acceptable intubating circumstances at either 60 or 90 seconds, although it has a shorter duration of action. It takes approximately the same amount of succinylcholine, 0.9 mg/kg, for rocuronium to provide clinically acceptable intubating circumstances as it does for succinylcholine, 1.5 mg/kg.