Rocuronium Bromide Versus Vecuronium Bromide

BACKGROUND: Rocuronium Bromide is a newer, low potency nondepolarising neuromuscular blocking agent. It is proven to be five to seven times less potent than vecuronium.The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 2ED95 (2 times effective dose 95) dose (0.6mg/kg) of rocuronium with regard to onset time, the intubating conditions and the duration of action and to compare it with equipotent dose of vecuronium. MEthods AND MATERIALS:This prospective,randomized,comparative study was carried out in 60 patients, aged 18-60 years, of ASA 1-2 of either sex, who were scheduled to undergo various surgeries under general anaesthesia.Patients were divided into two groups.Group-R received rocuronium 0.6mg/kg intravenously and Group-V received vecuronium 0.1 mg/kg intravenously after induction with thiopentone sodium. Intubation was attempted on fading of all four twitches of orbicularis oculi muscle stimulation on train of four stimulation given to temporal branch of facial nerve at every 15 seconds after the injection of muscle relaxant. Intubating conditions were assessed by the cooper scoring system. RESULTS: The mean onset time was significantly rapid in Gr. R 75.66+11.79 seconds as compared to Gr. V 116.66+10.93 seconds.Overall intubating conditions were excellent in 83.33% patients in Gr. R as compared to 46.66% patients in Gr. V (p<0.001).CONCLUSION: Both rocuronium and vecuronium have intermediate duration of action, however rocuronium provides clinically acceptable intubating conditions much earlier than vecuronium.