Comparison of Neuromuscular Blockade with Two Different Agents After A Priming Dose of Rocuronium: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the pharmacological effects of a priming dose of rocuronium in combination with the non-depolarizing blockers rocuronium or vecuronium during the perioperative period. Material and Methods: Sixty patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) risk status I or II scheduled to receive anesthesia for elective surgery were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided into four groups. Patients in Group I (n=15) received a priming dose of normal saline and rocuronium bromide 0.6 mg/kg following induction of anesthesia; patients in Group II (n=15) received a priming dose of normal saline and vecuronium bromide 0.1 mg/kg following induction; patients in Group III (n=15) received a priming dose of rocuronium bromide 0.1 mg/kg followed by rocuronium bromide 0.6 mg/kg after induction; and Group IV (n=15) patients received a priming dose of rocuronium bromide 0.1 mg/kg followed by vecuronium bromide 0,1 mg/kg. T95 (time to onset of action), T25 (clinical duration of action), T75 (total duration of action) and recovery index (RI) were measured and recorded. Patients were monitored for possible side effects. Results: In Group III, in which patients were primed with rocuronium and maintained with rocuronium, the time to onset of action was significantly shorter than for patients in Group I. Similarly, this parameter was significantly shorter in Group IV patients than in Group II patients. T25 and T75 was significantly longer in Group II and Group IV than in the other groups. There was no significant difference in RI values between the groups. Conclusion: Using rocuronium as a priming agent accelerates the neuromuscular blocking effects of both rocuronium and vecuronium and provides ideal intubation conditions when safe and quick intubation is required.