BACKGROUND: We investigated whether the intubating condition change acoording to the
methods of
administration of
propofol and
rocuronium .
METHODS: Ninety
adult patients (ASA physical status I or II) undergoing elective
surgery were randomly assigned to one of three groups; Group I (n = 30) received
rocuronium (0.6 mg/kg) after
administration of
propofol (2 mg/kg), Group II (n = 30) received
propofol and
rocuronium simultaneously via different intravenous routes, and Group III (n = 30) received a mixture of
propofol and
rocuronium via same intravenous route.
Intubation was attempted at 60 seconds after
administration of
rocuronium .
Hemodynamic parameters (mean
blood pressure ,
heart rate ) were measured before and after
propofol administration with 20 seconds interval. Intubating conditions (
jaw relaxation ,
vocal cord movement , and response to tracheal
intubation ) were evaluated as excellent, good, fair and poor. Train of four counts were recorded at 60 seconds after
administration of
rocuronium .
RESULTS: Excellent intubating conditions were obtained in 13% in group I, 60% in group II, 77% in group III. Mean train of four counts were 3.7 in group I, 3.4 in group II, and 3.5 in group III. Mean
blood pressures were decreased gradually after
propofol administration in all groups. However,
heart rates were not changed in all groups.
CONCLUSIONS: At induction of
anesthesia , simultaneous or mixed
administration of
propofol and
rocuronium provides excellent or good intubating conditions 60 seconds after
rocuronium administration . It could be an effective alternative to
succinylcholine for
rapid sequence induction of
anesthesia .