The influence of alfentanil on the intubating conditions after priming with vecuronium

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Abstract
The ability of alfentanil 15 .mu.g kg-1 or 30 .mu.g kg-1 to improve intubating conditions was studied in four groups of 25 ASA class 1 patients. Induction of anaesthesia was with thiopentone 5 mg kg-1. Neuromuscular blockade was induced with vecuronium using the priming principle. The priming dose, priming interval and intubating dose were 0.10 mg kg-1, 4 min, and 0.1 mg kg-1, respectively. Intubation was attempted 1 min after the intubating dose. Intubating conditions were judged unacceptable in about 30% of the patients belonging to the control groups. Alfentanil 15 .mu.g kg-1, when administered 65 s before intubation, reduced the incidence of coughing and diaphragmatic movement (P < 0.05) but did not reduce the incidence of overall unacceptable intubating conditions. Alfentanil 30 .mu.g kg-1, however, reduced the incidence of vocal cord movement (P < 0.005) as well as coughing and diaphragmatic movement (P < 0.002). Alfentanil 30 .mu.g kg-1 reduced the incidence of unacceptable intubating conditions from about 30% to 4% (P < 0.02).