ABSTRACT

Objective:

Pain from rocuronium injection is observed in 50%–80 % of patients. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of pretreatment with paracetamol and lidocaine in preventing pain-induced withdrawal caused by the intravenous injection of rocuronium during the induction of general anaesthesia in paediatric patients.

Methods:

Ninety children were randomized into two groups using a simple drawing from the box method: a paracetamol group (Group P, n=45) and a lidocaine group (Group L, n=45). After anaesthesia induction, venous occlusion was applied by a paediatric cuff inflated to a pressure of 75 mmHg and by 50 mg paracetamol and 0.5 mg kg−1 lidocaine was injected in Groups P and L, respectively. Venous occlusion was then released, followed by rocuronium injection (0.6 mg kg−1). Withdrawal was evaluated using a 4-point scale (1, no response; 2, movement at the wrist only; 3, movement/ withdrawal involving arm only (elbow/shoulder) and 4, generalized response, movement/withdrawal in more than one extremity).

Results:

The incidence of withdrawal movement was 42% and 26% in the Groups P and L, respectively (p=0.120). Although no significant differences were noted in the number of patients who had no withdrawal movement and mild withdrawal movement in Groups P and L, compared with Group L, the incidences of moderate withdrawal movement were significantly higher in Group P (p<0.05). No patient in either group revealed generalized movement.

Conclusion:

Using a venous occlusion technique, pretreatment with 50 mg paracetamol can prevent withdrawal movement caused by rocuronium injection in children but is not as effective as lidocaine to prevent moderate withdrawal movement.