A clinical comparison between tubocurarine and pancuronium in children

Abstract

Tubocurarine 0.8 mg/kg and pancuronium 0.13 mg/kg have been studied in a blind trial in 244 children aged 2-15 years undergoing routine surgery. No statistically significant difference could be detected between the two drugs in respect of onset of relaxation and conditions for intubation. Pancuronium was shown to be associated with a markedly lower incidence of local histamine-like response. The systolic blood pressure following tubocurarine tended either to remain at the preoperative level or to fall, whilst following pancuronium the systolic blood pressure tended to rise. This pressor effect with pancuronium was less marked in children in the older age group. The study did not permit valid conclusions to be made concerning the degree of reversibility of the myoneural block. In the dose range used rubocurarine seemed to be longer-acting than pancuronium. Younger children appeared to be more sensitive to tubocurarine than older children, an effect not shown by pancuronium. No difference in cumulative effect could be detected. © 1973 John Sherratt and Son Ltd.