ABSTRACT : To study and analyse intubating conditions after administration of 2xED95 i.e 0.6mg/kg of rocuronium and to compare succinylcholine –the gold standard in equivalent dose 2xED95 i.e 0.6mg/kg in parturients undergoing caesarean section under general anaesthesia .

METHODS : For this clinical study 60 ASA I and II parturients scheduled for elective caesarean section under general anaesthesia were studied. Anaesthesia was induced with iv Thiopentone 5mg/kg and neuromuscular blocking agent using RSI. Group I (n=30) received Succinylcholine (0.6mg/kg) and group II received Rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg. Intubation was done 60s after the administration of muscle relaxant in Group I and 90s in Group II .Intubating conditions using the scoring criteria described by Cooper et al was assessed. Clinical duration of action of muscle relaxant, side effects ,reversal of NMB and neonatal outcome also recorded. t- test was applied as method of analysis.

RESULTS : There was no statistically significant difference in jaw relaxation, vocal cord relaxation and response to intubation in both groups. Overall intubating conditions in group I & II were excellent in 84 %and 76% patients respectively with no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) in correlation with Abouleish et al.Two incidents of prolonged apnea weres noted in group II.Neonatal outcome was comparable in either group .

CONCLUSIONS : : Our study showed that Rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg provides equally good intubating conditions when compared to Suxamethonium 0.6mg/kg in elective caesarean section using RSI at 90 secs.