Comparing two different doses of propofol after sevoflurane induction for intubation in paediatric patients without use of neuromuscular blocking agents

Abstract

In the practice of paediatric anaesthesia, intubation of trachea without using neuromuscular blocking agents is becoming commoner more so in conditions in which muscle relaxants are not preferred. Different combinations of drugs including opioids, intravenous agents and inhalational agents are being used for facilitating endotracheal intubation when muscle relaxants are not used. In this study we compared intubating conditions in paediatric patients after sevoflurane induction and propofol in two different doses.80 children of 2 to 12 years age undergoing elective surgeries were divided into two groups P2 and P3 of 40 each. After sevoflurane induction and fentanyl 2mcg/kg I.V. group P2 received propofol 2mg/kg and group P3 received propofol 3mg/kg I.V. The two groups were compared with respect to intubating conditions and haemodynamic parameters. Clinically acceptable intubating conditions were seen in all patients in both groups. Excellent intubating conditions were more in group P3 (87.5%) than group P2 (80%). Haemodynamic parameters showed no significant difference between the two groups. In paediatric patients, endotracheal intubation can be comfortably performed without muscle relaxantsby using propofol and fentanyl with sevoflurane induction with no respiratory or haemodynamic adverse events. Propofol in a dose of 3mg/kg gives better intubating conditions than 2mg/kg without adverse haemodynamic effects, although 2mg/kg propofol also gives acceptable intubating conditions.