Changes associated with facilitation of endotracheal intubation with either fentanyl or suxamethonium in children

Abstract

Endotracheal intubation usually aided by the muscle relaxant suxamethonium can elicit responses and changes which are hazardous in some patients including children; suxamethonium is also contraindicated in some patients. Fentanyl, a short-acting opioid may be a suitable alternative with varying results. Objective: This study compares the changes associated with the facilitation of endotracheal intubation with either the commonly used suxamethonium or fentanyl. Methods: Eighty two American Society of Anaesthesiologist (ASA) physical status classification I and II patients aged between 3 and 12 years scheduled for surgeries requiring general anaesthesia with endotracheal intubation received either 3 μg/kg fentanyl (group F) or 1.5 mg/kg suxamethonium (group S) following induction of anaesthesia with propofol. Haemodynamic parameters: pulse rate (PR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were assessed post-intubation at 1, 3, 5 and 10 minutes respectively. The incidence of side effects and post-intubation upper airway events were also observed. Results: Patients in group S experienced a significant increase in HR when compared to baseline values (p=0.0001). The SBP and DBP were significantly lower than baseline values in patients in group F (p<0.023). MAP increased in group S and declined in group F at all study timings. However, the post-intubation MAP was significantly lower than the baseline only at the 5th minute (p=0.026). There were no records of postoperative upper airway injuries, hypotension, bradycardia, desaturation, masseter spasm and malignant hyperthermia in the two study groups. Conclusion: Propofol-Fentanyl produced more stable parameters compared to propofol-suxamethonium. No significant difference in terms of side effects between Propofol-Fentanyl and propofol-suxamethonium.