Comparison of lignocaine and nitrous oxide in reducing pain due to Rocuronium injection: A prospective observational study

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Rocuronium bromide is used in anaesthesia to endotracheal intubation and skeletal muscle relaxation. Rocuronium causes pain on parenteral injection as a common adverse effect. In this prospective observational study pre-treatment with lignocaine and nitrous oxide used to reducing the adverse effect i.e pain of Rocuronium injection.Methodology: A prospective observational study was conducted on 200 patients those underwent modified radical mastectomy and thyroidectomy under general anesthesia were randomly assigned in to two groups (Group L and Group N). Group L (n-100) received 4ml of 1% intravenous preservative free Lignocaine followed by a sub-paralysing dose of intravenous Rocuronium 0.06 mg/kg, diluted with normal saline to an injection volume of 5ml over 10 seconds. Group N received 50% Nitrous oxide in oxygen for 2 minutes followed by a sub-paralysing dose of intravenous Rocuronium 0.06 mg/kg, diluted with normal saline to an injection volume of 5ml over 10 seconds. Pain in the arm, and their response was assessed according to McCrirrick and Hunter scale).Results: It was observed that both lignocaine (Group L) and Nitrous oxide (Group N) reduced Rocuronium injection pain similarly (82% vs 91%; P >0.05).Conclusion: In our study we had compared the effect of 40mg 1% Intravenous preservative free lignocaine and Inhalational 50% Nitrous oxide in reducing pain due to Rocuronium injection and found that both were equally effective in reducing pain of Rocuronium injection.