Vol. 2, Issue 1, Part A (2020)

Introduction: A study was undertaken in 60 patients to evaluate the effect of rocuronium and cisatracurium on intubating conditions, who were scheduled for various surgical procedures under general anaesthesia. The aim of the study was to compare the onset of action, intubating conditions, clinical duration, and side effects of the rocuronium and cisatracurium. Methods: After the institutional ethics committee approval and informed consent, 60 patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia, were randomized into 2 groups to receive rocuronium 0.90 mg.kg-1 (3×ED95) and cisatracurium 0.15 mg.kg-1(3×ED95) doses to facilitate tracheal intubation. For each patient, the onset time for 95% depression of T1, clinical duration until 25% recovery from T1 were recorded. Results: Rocuronium bromide 0.9 mg.kg-1 body weight produces excellent intubating conditions in 100% of patients at 90 seconds with a mean onset of action 87 ± 6.51 sec and average clinical duration of action of 63.1 ± 4.50 minutes. Cisatracurium 0.15 mg.kg-1 body weight produces excellent intubating conditions in 56.67% of patients and good intubating conditions in 43.4% of patients at 90 seconds with an average onset of action 122.8 ± 8.03 sec and average clinical duration of action of 50.83 ± 3.77 minutes. Recovery time in both groups was statistically insignificant. None of the patient in both groups had any side effect. Conclusion: Rocuronium bromide appeared to be a safe alternative to cisatracurium for intubation in adult patients with same 3×ED95 dose as rocuronium provides shorter duration of action and better intubating conditions with same recovery profile.