The prevention of pain from injection of rocuronium by ondansetron, lidocaine, tramadol, and fentanyl

Abstract

We compared the efficacy of ondansetron, lidocaine, tramadol, and fentanyl in minimizing pain caused by the injection of rocuronium in 250 patients. After tourniquet application on the forearm, the patients were given saline (3 mL) (Group 1, n = 50), ondansetron (4 mg) (Group 2, n = 50), lidocaine (30 mg) (Group 3, n = 50), tramadol (50 mg) (Group 4, n = 50), or fentanyl (100 microg) (Group 5, n = 50) diluted into a 3-mL solution. The occlusion was released after 20 s and rocuronium was injected over 10-15 s. The patients were observed and asked immediately if they had pain in the arm, and the response was assessed. Reactions such as discomfort and pain, withdrawal of the hand, and so on after the administration of rocuronium were recorded as side effects for 24 h. Ten patients in Group 1, 28 patients in Group 2, 37 patients in Group 3, 30 patients in Group 4, and 15 patients in Group 5 reported no pain. Light pain was seen in 11 patients in Group 1, 14 patients in Group 2, 11 patients in Group 3, 12 patients in Group 4, and 20 patients in Group 5. Moderate pain was seen in 15 patients in Group 1, 6 patients in Group 2, 2 patients in Group 3, 8 patients in Group 4, and 10 patients in Group 5. Severe pain was seen in 14 patients in Group 1, 2 patients in Group 2, 0 patients in Group 3, 0 patients in Group 4, and 5 patients in Group 5. Correlation determined with log-linear analysis found in Group 1 pain score 0 (P < 0.001), Group 1 pain score 1 (P < 0.001), and Group 3 pain score 0 (P < 0.001). We conclude that ondansetron, lidocaine, tramadol, and fentanyl decrease the level of rocuronium injection pain. Among these drugs, lidocaine is the most effective, whereas fentanyl is the least effective.

Implications: We compared the efficacy of ondansetron, lidocaine, tramadol, and fentanyl in minimizing the pain on injection of rocuronium in 250 patients. Ondansetron, lidocaine, tramadol, and fentanyl were effective in preventing and decreasing the level of rocuronium injection pain. Among these drugs, lidocaine was the most effective, and fentanyl was the least effective.