A Randomized Double-Blind Comparative Study of the Intubating Conditions and Hemodynamic Effects of Rocuronium and Succinylcholine in Pediatric Patients

Background: The incidence of unanticipated difficult airways is higher in pediatric age groups than in adults due to the different airway anatomy, difficulty in airway examination, and congenital malformations. Rocuronium bromide has a comparable onset time to succinylcholine at its proportionate dose. Hence, we compared rocuronium bromide with succinylcholine to assess intubating conditions and their side effects, if any. Method: A total of 200 pediatric patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grades I and II between one and 14 years of age of either sex posted for elective surgery were included in the study. After randomization, group R (n = 100) received 1.2 mg/kg rocuronium, and group S (n = 100) received 2 mg/kg succinylcholine intravenously. After confirming the mask ventilation, the study drugs were administered, and intubating conditions were assessed as excellent, good, poor, or impossible. Hemodynamic changes post-intubation were recorded as our secondary outcome. Result: Intubating conditions were excellent( 65%), good( 25%) and fair (10%) in patients of group R, while results in group S were excellent( 60%), good( 20%), fair (15%), and poor (5%) (p = 0.010). The heart rate was significantly increased post-intubation in group S, while there was no significant increase in systolic or diastolic blood pressure in either group. Conclusion: At a dose of 1.2 mg/kg body weight, rocuronium was a better alternative to succinylcholine for providing rapid intubating conditions and stable hemodynamics without associated adverse effects.