ABSTRACT

We aimed to evaluate Visual-Analogue-Scale (VAS) values, hand-withdrawal, rash and skin eruptions after injections of different concentrations of rocuronium in intubation doses in alert patients using the isolated-forearm technique.

Eighty ASA I-II patients were included in a randomized, controlled, single-blinded study. Two 20 G cannulas were inserted into the dorsum of the left and right hand in each patient. A tourniquet was applied to the left arm and inflated to 50 mm Hg above the patient’s systolic blood pressure. Group 1 (n=20) received 2.5 mg mL-1 rocuronium diluted with 0.9% NaCl, Group 2 (n=20) received 5 mg mL-1 rocuronium diluted with 0.9% NaCl, Group 3 (n=20) received 10 mg mL-1 rocuronium and 0.4 mg mL-1 lidocaine mixture, and Group 4 (n=20) received 10 mg mL-1 rocuronium via cannula on the left hand at a dose of 0.6 mg mL-1 to all groups. VAS0 -VAS60 values, hand-withdrawal, rash and skin eruptions were assessed in patients who were administered rocuronium but not under the effects of hypnotic or neuromuscular agents. Hemodynamic values were recorded both before and after the administration of hypnotic-neuromuscular agents.

VAS0 values were significantly higher in Group 4 when compared to Groups 1, 2 and 3 (p=0.032). No significant difference was observed between VAS0 and VAS60 values in Groups 1, 2 and 3. In Group 4, VAS0 values were significantly higher than VAS60 values (p=0.003). No significant difference was observed between groups in terms of side effects and haemodynamic values.

In conclusion, we determined that using diluted rocuronium with 0.9% NaCl was more effective in preventing injection pain than using a rocuronium-lidocaine mixture.

Keywords: Rocuronium, intravenous injection, pain