COMPARATIVE STUDY OF INTUBATING CONDITIONS WITH SUXAMETHONIUM AND ROCURONIUM IN CHILDREN

BACKGROUND Suxamethonium is routinely used for intubation from long time in spite of its side effects, as there is no alternate drug till recently. Present study is focused on rocuronium rapidly acting as non-depolariser, which behaves like vecuronium in all other aspects. The study is focused on finding attractive and safe alternative drug to suxamethonium using rocuronium, which behaves like Vecuronium in all aspects. Aims and Objectives- To search for a safe alternative drug to suxamethonium using rocuronium for intubation in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS This non-randomised controlled trial was conducted on 50 children for convenience of either sex, of ASA physical status I or II, belonging to age between 8 and 15 years, posted for elective surgery under general anaesthesia. Informed consent was taken. These patients were non-randomly divided into two groups of 25 patients each for convenience according to the neuromuscular blocking drug used. Group I- Suxamethonium 1 mg/kg. Group II- Rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg. RESULTS Grading of intubating conditions were 96% with suxamethonium and 80% with Rocuronium. Immobility of vocal cords was better and diaphragmatic response was less pronounced with Suxamethonium. Cardiovascular changes in heart rate and mean arterial pressure were less than 10% of basal level. CONCLUSION There was no significant difference between intubating dose of 0.6 mg/kg of rocuronium and 1 mg/kg of suxamethonium. Rocuronium may be a safe alternative when suxamethonium is contraindicated or is to be avoided for its side effects, especially in children.