The PTC method can be used to predict the time to first response to TOF nerve stimulation during intense rocuronium induced neuromuscular blockade. The relation between PTC and the time to T1 was prolonged after 1.2 mg/kg compared with 0.6 mg/kg and 0.9 mg/kg. No further improvement in intubation conditions at 60 s was evident by increasing the rocuronium dose from 0.9 mg/kg to 1.2 mg/kg.

Subhypnotic doses of thiopentone are considered to have a hyperalgesic effect, while propofol has a hypoalgesic effect. We investigated the effect of these drugs on the nociceptive system by measuring the pain threshold to laser stimulation and the pain evoked potential (power and latency). Nineteen patients (ASA group I) participated. Twelve patients received thiopentone 0.5 mg kg-1 and propofol 0.25 mg kg-1 in random order separated by an interval of 14 h, and seven patients received saline. Immediately after the injection of both agents, the pain threshold was increased significantly (P less than 0.001) and the amplitude of the evoked potential was reduced significantly (P less than 0.05), while the latency of the evoked potential remained constant. It is concluded that, in subhypnotic doses, both thiopentone and propofol decrease the acute pain evoked by argon laser stimulation.

Diathermy and compression were associated with similar post-tonsillectomy morbidity.

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