EVALUATION OF THE ONSET AND INTUBATION CONDITIONS OF ROCURONIUM BROMIDE

Rocuronium 0.6, 0.75, or 0.9 mg kg-1, was given after supramaximal tra in-of-four stimulation of the ulnar nerve, measuring the compound acti on potential of the hypothenar muscles. Intubation conditions, onset t ime, recovery to 25% and recovery index of the three doses of rocuroni um bromide were determined in 60 ASA I or II consenting patients, who were receiving propofol, alfentanil and N2O/O2 for ophthalmic surgery. Intubation conditions were randomly assessed either 45 s or 60 s afte r injection. In general, intubation conditions were excellent or good; in only three patients were poor conditions obtained, always at 45 s. For total intubation score a borderline difference was found in favou r of the 60 s subgroups. No difference could be shown between the thre e dose groups. The onset time was longer (P<0.01) in the 0.6 mg kg-1 g roup, compared to that in the 0.9 mg kg-1 group. The recovery to 25% a nd spontaneous recovery index were shorter in the 0.6 mg kg-1 group (P <0.01).