Effects of Pre-treatment with Lignocaine on Pain of Rocuronium Injection and Withdrawal Movements of the Arm

Abstract

Objectives: The study was carried out to assess the frequency of pain and withdrawal movements after injection of rocuronium and effects of pre-treatment with lignocaine. Design: It was a double blind study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was of six months duration and was carried out from March 2004 to September 2004 at Combined Military Hospital Kharian. Patients and Methods:One hundred and twenty unpremedicated patients with ASA grade I and II, aged between 18-60 years and of both sexes were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups of 60 patients each. After induction of anaesthesia with thiopentone,  patients in group A, received 3 ml of lignocaine plain while those in group B, received 3 ml of normal  saline  as pre-treatment before injection of rocuronium. Their effects on pain on injection and withdrawal movements of the arm were studied. Results: Out of total of 120 patients, only 17 patients (14%) developed withdrawal movements of the arm or wrist. In Group A, who received lignocaine plain before rocuronium injection, only 3 out of 60 patients had withdrawal movements while in Group B, who received normal saline as pre-treatment, fourteen out of 60 patients developed withdrawal movements of the arm or wrist. Only one patient belonging to Group B experienced pain. Conclusion: Pre-treatment with lignocaine plain greatly reduces the chances of withdrawal movements and pain on injection of rocuronium.