Pain on injection of rocuronium: influence of two doses of lidocaine pretreatment

Abstract

We have assessed the incidence of pain on injection of rocuronium and evaluated if pretreatment with lidocaine i.v. reduced it, in a randomized, controlled study in 90 patients. We found that 37% of patients who received lidocaine 10 mg pretreatment had pain on injection of rocuronium compared with 77% of patients who received saline pretreatment and 7% of patients who were pretreated with lidocaine 30 mg (P < 0.05 in each instance compared with control). In addition, patients pretreated with lidocaine were less likely to suffer moderate or severe pain. Both lidocaine 10 mg and 30 mg i.v. given before administration of rocuronium significantly reduced the incidence and severity of pain on injection of rocuronium, and the higher dose was more effective.