A Comparative Study of Duration & Onset of Action and Intubating Conditions Between Rocuronium Bromide and Suxamethonium Chloride in Paediatric Patients at Tertiary Care Centre

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to compare time of onset, duration and intubating conditions associated with use of rocuronium bromide and suxamethonium chloride in pediatric age group. Material & Methods: A prospective comparative study was performed on 100 children aged 5 to 10 years of ASA grade I & II in department of anesthesia & department of pediatric at K.D. Medical College, Mathura, U.P. India during one year period. Patients divided in two groups: Group R: 50 patients received Inj. Rocuronium (0.6 mg/kg iv) and Group S: 50 patients received Inj. Suxamethonium (2 mg/kg iv). Intubating conditions were assessed using the criteria (use to attribute scores in evaluating intubating conditions are jaw relaxation, vocal cord position and diaphragmatic activity) proposed for good clinical research practice in studies of neuromuscular blocking drugs. Results: Excellent intubating conditions were observed in 100% cases receiving suxamethonium at 60 sec & 90 sec while in 80% and 94% cases receiving Rocuronium at 60 sec & 90 sec respectively. In group S (Suxamethonium chloride 2 mg/kg) onset of action was 42.38 ± 3.57 seconds significantly faster than either group R (Rocuronium bromide 0.6mg/kg) onset of action was 210.62 ± 48.34 seconds. Conclusion: The result of this study indicates that this new non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent may be considered as a valuable alternative to Suxamethonium for rapid tracheal intubation, i.e., within 60 seconds.