A comparison of intubating conditions in children following induction of anaesthesia with propofol and suxamethonium or propofol and remifentanil

Authors: Morgan, J. M.¹; Barker, I.²; Peacock, J. E.³; Eissa, A.²

Source: Anaesthesia, Volume 62, Number 2, February 2007 , pp. 135-139(5)

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $48.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

Summary

Sixty ASA 1 and 2 children aged between 2 and 16 years who required tracheal intubation as part of anaesthesia for elective surgery were studied. We evaluated intubating conditions, haemodynamic responses and duration of apnoea following propofol 4 mg.kg⁻¹ combined with either remifentanil 1.25 μg.kg⁻¹ (group R), or suxamethonium 1 mg.kg⁻¹ (group S). Tracheal intubation was graded as excellent, good or poor according to ease of laryngoscopy, vocal cord position, coughing, and jaw relaxation and limb movement. Thirty of group S and 28 of group R children were successfully intubated on the first attempt. Overall, intubation conditions were excellent or good in 26/30 (87%) patients in group S and 20/30 (67%) in group R (p < 0.05). Mean apnoea time was 190 s in group S, and 362 s in group R (p < 0.001). Heart rate increased in response to suxamethonium (p < 0.01) and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased in the remifentanil group (p < 0.01).

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2044.2006.04903.x

Affiliations: 1: Registrar 2: Consultant, Department of Anaesthesia, Sheffield Children's Hospital, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TH, UK 3: Consultant, Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TH, UK

Publication date: 2007-02-01