Background: Rocuronium produces faster neuromuscular blockade compared with other neuromuscular blocking drugs. It produces intubating condition similar to succinylcholine, but does not have the short duration of action. Objective: to compare the onset time of intubation and intubating condition of rocuronium with priming versus without priming.
Methods: Sixty patients of ASA physical status I and II, aged between 18-60 years, of both the sexes, grouped randomly and divided into priming group (group P) and control group (group C) of 30 subjects each. Priming group (Group P) receives 0.06mg/kg of rocuronium and control group (group C) receives normal saline. All patients received inj. Fentanyl 1mcg/kg, followed by inj. thiopentone 5mg/kg for induction. Intubating dose of rocuronium 0.54mg/kg for priming group and 0.6mg/kg for control group administered 3min after priming.
Results: The present conducted study shown that onset time of intubation was 56.4(\(\pm\)6.43) sec in priming group (group P) with 3 min priming interval, 117.6(\(\pm\)16.78) sec in non priming group (group C) with clinically acceptable intubating conditions were obtained in both groups without any adverse effects.
Conclusions: Priming with the rocuronium provide excellent intubating condition in less than 60 sec when compare to non priming group and is a safe alternative to succinylcholine.
