Time window for intubation after rocuronium administration during target-controlled infusion of propofol and sulfentanil / 南方医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To define the ideal time window for intubation after rocuronium administration during target-controlled infusion (TCI) ofpropofol and sulfentanil.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty elective surgical patients (age range 18-55 years) were randomized into 4 groups (n=30) according to the intubation time after administration of the muscle relaxant. Patients with predicted difficult airway were excluded. General anesthesia was induced by TCI of propofol and sulfentanil. A senior anesthesiologist blinded for the randomization performed the intubations at 1, 2, 3, or 4 min after injection of rocuronium, and the vocal card visibility was evaluated upon full exposure of the vocal cord and the intubation conditions assessed according to Cooper's score.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The intubation conditions were excellent or good in all patients, but the vocal cord visibility at 2-4 min differed significantly from that at 1 min after rocuronium administration (P<0.01). Suppression of the neuromuscular function 1 min after rocuronium administration differed significantly from that at other time points (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The condition of vocal cord can be more suitable for intubation at 2-4 min than at 1 min after rocuronium administration as the ideal time window for intubation during TCI of propofol and sulfentanil.</p>