Comparison of Different Induction Dose Strategies of Rocuronium and Vecuronium in Neuroanaesthesia Practice

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficiency of use of rocuronium and vecuronium in different dose regimens in neuroanesthesia practice in terms of intubation time and first additional dose requirement. METHODS: Sixty-eight neurosurgery patients with intracranial mass which were operated, included to our study. Patients randomly divided into 4 groups according to the induction doses of curares as: Group1: Vecuronium 0.1 mg kg-1, Group2: Priming, 20% of total vecuronium need (0.1mg kg-1) for induction injected 5 minutes before induction and then the rest used for induction, Group3: Rocuronium group: 0.6 mg/kg, Group 4: Rocuronium with rapid-sequence induction dose (RSID) (1.2 mg kg-1). TOF (Train of four) test was used for deciding to intubation and additional curare dose during surgery. Intubation quality, the time from induction to intubation, need for the first additinal curare dose and subsequent curare dose intervals were recorded. RESULTS: RSID of rocuronium provided significantly shorter time period for intubation against the other groups. Also the time period from induction to first additional curare requirement time was significantly longer in RSID group than others. There were no statistically differences between the groups' time period for monitorisation, positioning and start of surgery. CONCLUSION: With the use of RSID of rocuronium, it was seen that the excellent intubation quality is provided around 1 minute and with its longer effect period until the first additional dose it covers the time period for monitorisation, positioning and start of surgery. Because of these efects, we think that the RSID of rocuronium may be a beter choice of dose regimen for neuroanesthesia practice.