This study compared the potency and time course of action of rocuronium (ORG 9426) in elderly and young patients during nitrous oxide-opioid anaesthesia. One hundred ASA physical status l-H patients (60, aged 65-80 yr, and 40, aged 20-45 yr) were studied by measuring the force of contraction of the adductor pollicis in response to train-of-four stimulation of the ulnar nerve. After induction of anaesthesia with thiopentone and maintenance with N20/ O 2 and fentanyl, rocuronium 120, 160, 200, or 240 #g" kg -t (3,7 • 1,1(SD) vs 3,1 + 0,9 P < 0,05). La p6riode de recouvrement de T t h 25% se prolonge dans le groupe ~gd (11,8 • 8,1 vs 8,0 • 6,5 rain, P < 0,05) de m~me que l'index de rdcup6ration (5,5 + 6,2 vs H,2 • 4,9 min, P < 0,05
However, the effect of nitrous oxide on nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking drugs has not been evaluated in humans. In rats, introduction of nitrous oxide was found to reduce twitch height, s but this effect was not seen in cats. 6 In humans, the depolarizing agent succinylcholine was found to produce a greater degree of blockade if nitrous oxide was added to the induction agent. 7 Such a study has not been performed for nondepolarizing muscle relaxants. Dose-response data are useful to determine "intubating" doses of nondepolarizing agents. However, the neuromuscular blocking drug is normally given immediately after induction of anaesthesia, before the patient has CAN J ANAESTH 1991 / 38:7/pp866-9
This study was undertaken to compare the potency of vecuronium in patients anaesthetized in Montreal or 33,0 +--3,3 et 71,9 .4-7,2 I~g.kg -t, respectivement
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