Rocuronium versus succinylcholine in the obese patient treated with laparoscopic bariatric surgery

Abstract

Introduction: Obese people are considered patients at risk for intubation, so that the time between loss of consciousness and intubation of the trachea should be as short as possible.
Objective: To evaluate the conditions of tracheal intubation in obese patients treated with laparoscopic bariatric surgery when using rocuronium compared to succinylcholine.
Methods: Quasi-experimental, comparative and cross-sectional study carried out in "General Calixto García" University Hospital, from January 2016 to December 2017, in 64 obese patients electively scheduled for laparoscopic bariatric surgery, divided into two groups: Group S: succinylcholine 1 mg/Kg of real weight and Group R: rocuronium 0.6 mg/Kg of ideal weight. The variables analyzed were: age, sex, body mass index, latency time, maximum blocking index, intubation conditions and side effects.
Results: The age range that predominated in both groups was 40 to 59 years, and mostly women. The highest number of patients presented a grade 3 obesity and physical state ASA II. Mean latency times and maximal blockade rates were significantly lower in patients in whom succinylcholine was used than in those who used rocuronium. The conditions of intubation at 40 seconds in the two groups, according to the Cooper scale, were excellent and good, without significant differences.
Conclusions: Rocuronium is a safe alternative to achieve optimal intubation conditions in obese patients treated with laparoscopic bariatric surgery, when compared to succinylcholine.