A Prospective Randomised Clinical Trial of Three Different Doses of Rocuronium for Intubation in Adults

Abstract

BACKGROUNDIn the triad of anaesthesia, reflex suppression and facilitation of tracheal intubation is achieved by administering neuromuscular blocking agents. An ideal muscle relaxant should have rapid onset, profound muscle relaxation and short duration of action, so that patient's own respiratory function can be restored should intubation prove to be impossible. Succinylcholine is a depolarising muscle relaxant with a rapid onset of action, but associated with multiple side effects. Therefore, need exists for a non-depolarising muscle relaxant with a rapid onset of action without significant side effects. Rocuronium bromide is a steroidal non-depolarising neuromuscular blocking agent shown to have rapid onset of action similar to succinylcholine. 1 This study was done to compare intubating conditions in 60 seconds by using three different doses of rocuronium for intubation in adults by assessing the onset and duration of neuromuscular blockade, intubating conditions and haemodynamic changes.