ROCURONIUM VERSUS ATRACURIUM FOR DAY-CASE SURGERY

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare safety. cardiovascular and neuromuscular blocking effects of equipotent doses of rocuronium and atracurium in patients undergoing day-case surgery. This study was carried out on forty patients of both sex (ASA I,II) scheduled for elective day-case surgical procedures. Patients with known renal . pulmonary. hepatic or neuromuscular disorders. patients recieving drugs known to modify the action of neuromuscular blocking agents. patients who weighed > 100 kg and pregnant females did not participate in this study. • On arrival to the operating room IV cannula was inserted and IV infusion of lactated Ringer's solution was commenced, Routine patient's monitoring included HR. non-invasive blood pressure, oxygen saturation and electrocardiogram (lead II) . All patients were premedicated with IV midazolam (0.03 mg/kg ) half an hour before induction of anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced with IV fentanyl (1-2 g/kg) and propofol (1.5 mg/kg) and the lungs were ventilated with 60% nitrous oxide in oxygen via a facemask. Neuromuscular blockade monitoring was commenced immediatly after induction of anesthesia using electromyography. The ulnar nerve was electrically stimulated and the resulting integrated electromyographic response was displayed. After calibrating the electromyography. patients were randomized to recieve equipotent doses (2 x EDsol of either 0.6 mg/kg