The effects of rocuronium and vecuronium on the increase in intraocular pressure associated with tracheal intubation

Park, Jong Taek; Lee, Ji Yeon; Lee, Se Hui; Rah, Sang Hoon; Um, Dea Ja

Clinical Research

Neuromuscular Physiology and Pharmacology

Anesthesia and Pain Medicine 2009;4(4):332-335.
Published online October 31, 2009.

The effects of rocuronium and vecuronium on the increase in intraocular pressure associated with tracheal intubation

Jong Taek Park, Ji Yeon Lee, Se Hui Lee, Sang Hoon Rah, Dea Ja Um

Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, *Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea. umdj@yonsei.ac.kr

Abstract

BACKGROUND
During ophthalmologic surgery, various intravenous anesthetic induction agents are used to prevent an intraocular pressure (IOP) increase. This study was designed to compare the effects of vecuronium and rocuronium on IOP in patients who were intubated. METHODS: Thirty-two patients undergoing elective strabismus surgery, aged 4 to 12 years, were randomized to receive rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg (Group 1, n = 16), or vecuronium 1.0 mg/kg (Group 2, n = 16).IOP, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate (HR) were measured at the following time points: prior to induction (B); after the administration of the induction agents; before intubation (T0); and at 1, 3 and 5 mins after intubation (T1, T3 and T5). RESULTS: The IOP after T0 in Group 1 was significantly lower than B (P < 0.05) in Group 2.The IOP at T1 in the Group 1 and 2 was not different from B, respectively.The IOP, MAP, and HR at T1 in the Groups 1 and 2 were significantly higher than at T0 (P < 0.05).No significant differences were observed between the groups in term of IOP. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that vecuronium and rocuronium are both useful as muscle relaxants for use in general anesthesia in ophthalmologic surgery, because both agents caused similar decreases in intraocular pressure.

Key Words: Intraocular pressure, Intubation, Rocuronium, Vecuronium