English

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Suxamethonium, a depolarizing muscle relaxant has remained the undisputed drug for aiding intubation and an ideal drug for securing the airway because of its capabilities to produce excellent intubating conditions within 60 seconds & short duration of action but is contraindicated in certain clinical conditions because of its side effects.AIM: The present study was undertaken to compare the intubating conditions as well as duration of actions of Suxamethonium 1 mg kg-1 and mivacurium chloride, a new benzylisoquinolium non-depolarizing muscle relaxant with relatively rapid onset and short duration of action, 0.25mg kg-1 at 60 seconds. METHODS: After institutional approval and informed consent, 60 ASA I and II pediatric patients posted for elective tonsillectomies were grouped into 30 patients each. We compared the intubating conditions and duration of action of Suxamethonium 1 mg kg -1 and mivacurium chloride0.25mg kg -1 at 60 seconds. Cardiovascular responses and any side effects related to histamine release were also studied. Statistical analysis: Statistical tools used in present study are student't' test and 'chi squared' test. RESULTS: In group I, the intubating conditions in all the 30 patients were excellent except in 1 patient.In group II, 18 out of 30 patients had excellent intubating conditions, 7 patients had good, 3 patients fair and 2 patients had poor intubating conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The present study concluded that Suxamethonium produces excellent intubating conditions in 100% and mivacurium produces good to excellent intubating conditions in 83% at 60 seconds. Mivacurium chloride can be employed when Suxamethonium is contraindicated but Suxamethonium remains