Comparative evaluation of the effects of succinylcholine and rocuronium bromide in intraocular pressure

Background: Succinylcholine remain unsurpassed in providing ideal intubating conditions in the shortest time among all available neuromuscular blocking agents hence is advocated as the drug of choice for rapid sequence endotracheal intubation. Aim: Study compared the effects of succinylcholine and rocuronium bromide on intraocular pressure. Materials and methods: Study was done in 30 samples of ASA physical status 1 and 2 were selected through simple random sampling technique. All patients were scheduled for elective non-opthalmologic surgery for which general endotracheal anesthesia at various intervals at various intervals intraocular pressure changes, pulse rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were recorded at each of the above periods. Results: Intraocular pressure was elevated after giving succinylcholine high above the baseline values while in rocuronium group the intraocular pressure reduced below the baseline values. Though in both the groups IOP rose after intubation and decreased after three and five minutes after intubation, in group S it remained above the baseline after five minutes where as in group R it remained below the baseline value. Increasing after intubation nearing baseline value after five minutes after intubation. Conclusion: To conclude rocuronium in a dose of 0.9 mg/kg provides good to excellent intubating conditions comparable to that succinylcholine. It is a suitable agent for tracheal intubation in patients undergoing elective and emergency ophthalmic surgery where raise in intraocular pressure is undesirable.