Comparison of atracurium and vecuronium in anaesthesia for renal transplantation

Abstract
In a controlled study, equipotent doses of atracurium (20 patients) or vecuronium (22 patients) were given randomly to patients with chronic renal failure anaesthetized for renal transplantation. There were no statistically significant differences in the degree of muscle relaxation (electromyographic twitch response) and circulatory parameters. Plasma histamine concentration increased in three patients after the first dose of atracurium, but in none of the patients could any signs of allergic reactions be observed. Tracheal intubation was difficult in six patients of the atracurium group, all of whom had diabetes mellitus and varying degrees of neck stiffness. The neuromuscular block response in diabetic uraemic patients was similar to that in other uraemic patients.