title: Succinylcholine or rocuronium? A meta-analysis of the effects on intubation conditions.
abstract: This meta-analysis was undertaken to compare the effects of succinylcholine (SCH) and rocuronium (RCR) on endotracheal intubation (ETI) conditions. Eligible randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were identified via medline and a manual search of references. The frequencies of excellent and unacceptable ETI conditions in subjects receiving SCH 1.0-1.5 mg/kg and RCR 0.6-1.2 mg/kg were determined using standard statistical methods. Inclusion criteria were met by 16 RCTs, representing 1362 subjects. SCH was associated with a 17.7% increase (95% CI = 13-22) in the frequency of excellent ETI conditions and a 5.1% decrease (95% CI = -7.3 to -2.9) in the frequency of unacceptable ETI conditions, when compared with RCR. In the subgroup undergoing true rapid sequence intubation, SCH was associated with a 19.1% increase (95% CI = 13.7-24.5) in the frequency of excellent ETI conditions. SCH appears to be superior to RCR in creating excellent ETI conditions and avoiding unacceptable ETI conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey. ozgur.karcioglu@deu.edu.tr
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Karcioglu
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Topacoglu
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Ozucelik
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kiran
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sonmez
mesh_terms: D000732:Androstanols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000379:methods*; D009467:Neuromuscular Depolarizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D000077123:Rocuronium; D013390:Succinylcholine / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000732:Androstanols; D009467:Neuromuscular Depolarizing Agents; D013390:Succinylcholine; D000077123:Rocuronium