Tracheal intubating conditions after induction with sevoflurane 8% in children - A comparison with two intravenous techniques

We studied tracheal intubating conditions in 120 healthy children, aged 3-1 2 years, in a blinded, randomised clinical trial. Children were randomly al located to one of three groups: group I'S, propofol 3 mg.kg(-1) and succiny lcholine 1 mg.kg(-1) (n = 40); group PA, propofol 3 mg.kg(-1) and alfentani l 10 mu g.kg(-1) (n = 40); group SF, sevoflurane 8% in 60% nitrous oxide in oxygen for 3 min (n = 40). Tracheal intubating conditions were graded acco rding to ease of laryngoscopy, position of vocal cords, coughing, jaw relax ation and movement of limbs. Overall intubating conditions were acceptable in 39 of 40 children in the propofol/succinylcholine group, 21 of 40 childr en ill the propofol/alfentanil group and 35 of 40 children in the sevoflura ne group. Children receiving propofol and succinylcholine or sevoflurane ha d better intubating conditions overall than those given propofol and alfent anil (p < 0.01). In conclusion, anaesthetic induction end tracheal intubati on using sevoflurane 8% for 3 min is a satisfactory alternative to propofol with succinylcholine in children.