ROCURONIUM PREVENTS SUCCINYLCHOLINE-INDUCED FASCICULATIONS

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of rocuronium pretreatment at 3 and 1.5 min before succinylcholine administration on fasciculations, neuromuscular blockade and intubating conditions, Met hods: Sixty ASA I or II adults scheduled for elective surgery were ana esthetised with midazolam, fentanyl, propofol, N2O and isoflurane, The y were randomised in a double blind manner into three groups: group RO C-3 min (n = 22) received 0.05 mg.kg(-1) rocuronium, 3 min before 2 mg .kg(-1) succinylcholine; group ROC-1.5 min (n = 20) received 0.05 mg.k g(-1) rocuronium 1.5 min before 2 mg.kg(-1) succinylcholine; and group NO ROC (n = 18) had no rocuronium before injection of 2 mg.kg(-1) suc cinylcholine, Fasciculations and intubating conditions were evaluated by the same physician who was unaware of the randomisation. Neuromuscu lar block was measured at the adductor pollicis with an accelerometer, Results: The incidence of fasciculations was lower in the ROC-3 min ( 9%) and ROC-1.5 min (30%) groups than in the NO ROC group (83%; P < 0. 001). The intensity of fasciculations was also less in both pretreatme nt groups, No statistical difference was noted between pretreatment at 3 and 1.5 min, Intubating conditions, onset time and duration of succ inylcholine blockade were comparable in ail three groups, Conclusion: The incidence and severity of succinylcholine fasciculations can be re duced by giving 0.05 mg.kg(-1) rocuronium either 1.5 min or 3 min befo re succinylcholine. The effects of 2 mg.k(-1) succinylcholine with roc uronium pretreatment, and 1 mg.kg(-1) succinylcholine, without pretrea tment, are similar with respect to intubating conditions, onset of par alysis and duration of blockade.