Ease of intubation: A randomized, double-blind study to compare two doses of rocuronium bromide for endotracheal intubation

CONTEXT: Clinical need for a nondepolarizing agent with a rapid onset time and a brief duration of action has led to the development of rocuronium bromide. AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate optimal dose of rocuronium bromide for intubation and to compare the onset time, duration of action, intubating conditions, and hemodynamic effects of two doses of rocuronium bromide. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, double-blind study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All the patients were divided in a randomized, double-blind fashion into two groups of twenty patients each. Group I patients received rocuronium bromide 0.6 mg/kg intravenously and intubated at 60 s, Group II patients received rocuronium bromide 0.9 mg/kg and intubated at 60 s. The neuromuscular block was assessed using single twitch stimulation of 0.1 Hz at adductor pollicis muscle of hand at every 10 s. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The results were compiled and analyzed statistically using Chi-square test for qualitative data and Student's t-test for quantitative data. RESULTS: Time of onset was significantly shorter (P < 0.01) and duration of action was prolonged (P < 0.001) for Group II as compared to Group I. The intubating conditions were (excellent + good) in 100% patients of Group II and (excellent + good) in 80% of Group I. There was no significant change in pulse rate and mean arterial pressure from the baseline value after the administration of muscle relaxants in either of the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Rocuronium bromide 0.9 mg/kg is a safer alternative to rocuronium bromide 0.6 mg/kg for endotracheal intubation with shorter time of onset and better intubating conditions.