Journal of Medical Society

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year
: 2013  |  Volume : 27  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 140--143

Nitrous oxide for the prevention of rocuronium injection pain: A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial


Amitesh Pandey, Deban L Singh, Ratan N Singh, Pradip L Singh, Rupendra S Thokchom, Jack Meitei 
 Department of Anesthesiology, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, Manipur, India

Correspondence Address:
Deban L Singh
Department of Anesthesiology, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal - 795 004, Manipur
India

Background: Pain on injection of rocuronium bromide is a common side-effect in anesthetic practice. This study has been carried out to assess the effect of nitrous oxide on the pain and withdrawal response caused by rocuronium injection. Materials and Methods: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was carried out in the department of Anesthesiology, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal to determine the effect of nitrous oxide (N 2 O) on the frequency and severity of pain and withdrawal reactions after injection of rocuronium. 80 (Eighty) ASA physical status I and II patients undergoing general anesthesia for elective surgery were enrolled. The patients were divided into group O and group N and randomized to receive 100% oxygen (O 2 ) or 50% N 2 O in O 2 for 2 minutes followed by a sub-paralyzing dose of rocuronium 0.06 mg/kg. After induction of anesthesia with thiopentone 5 mg/kg, an intubating dose of rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg was given. The patients were observed after injection of rocuronium 0.06 mg/kg, and asked to rate pain in the arm on a 4-point (0-3) verbal rating scale (none, mild, moderate or severe). After the intubating dose of rocuronium, withdrawal reactions were recorded. Results: Thirty-five patients (87.5%) in the group N and 20 patients (50%) in the group O reported no pain (P <0.001). The pain was mild in 5 (12.5%) and 20 (50%) patients in nitrous group and oxygen group, respectively, (P < 0.001). Withdrawal response after an intubating dose of rocuronium was observed in 4 (10%) and 11 (27.5%) patients in the N 2 O and O 2 groups, respectively, (P <0.05). No patients reported moderate or severe pain. Conclusion: Inhalation of 50% N 2 O in O 2 reduces the incidence and severity of pain and the withdrawal reactions associated with rocuronium injection.


How to cite this article:
Pandey A, Singh DL, Singh RN, Singh PL, Thokchom RS, Meitei J. Nitrous oxide for the prevention of rocuronium injection pain: A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial.J Med Soc 2013;27:140-143


How to cite this URL:
Pandey A, Singh DL, Singh RN, Singh PL, Thokchom RS, Meitei J. Nitrous oxide for the prevention of rocuronium injection pain: A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial. J Med Soc [serial online] 2013 [cited 2023 Jun 5 ];27:140-143
Available from: https://www.jmedsoc.org/article.asp?issn=0972-4958;year=2013;volume=27;issue=2;spage=140;epage=143;aulast=Pandey;type=0