For pediatric anesthesia we frequently use rocuronium bromide, which is often associated with a localized withdrawal of the arm or generalized movements, that may cause harm to the patient. Lidocaine is said to be one of the better agents and reduce the incidence of movement associated with rocuronium injection in adults. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects on movement associated with rocuronium injection according to the method of lidocaine administration in children.

Two hundreds and four pediatric patients undergoing general anesthesia were randomly assigned to one of six groups (each group n = 34). Fifty seconds after the injection of thiopental sodium 5 mg/kg, the SM group was given mixture of rocuronium bromide 0.6 mg/kg and normal saline 0.05 ml/kg (same amount of 2% lidocaine 1 mg/kg) for 5-10 seconds. The LM 1.0 and LM 2.0 groups were given a mixture of rocuronium bromide 0.6 mg/kg and 2% lidocaine 1 mg/kg or 2 mg/kg, respectively. The LS 1.0, LS 1.5 and the LS 2.0 groups were given 2% lidocaine 1.0 mg/kg, 1.5 mg/kg, and 2.0 mg/kg respectively, 50 seconds after the injection of thiopental sodium, and rocuronium was given 5 seconds after the administration of lidocaine. Withdrawal movements after the injection of rocuronium were investigated.

All of the SM group showed withdrawal movement and the LM 2.0, LS 1.0, LS 1.5, and LS 2.0 groups showed less withdrawal movement than the SM group. And the LS 1.0, LS 1.5, and LS 2.0 groups showed less movement than the LM 1.0 group. LS 2.0 group showed less withdrawal movement than LM 2.0 group.

The sequential administration of lidocaine and rocuronium produced a better result than the administration of a mixture in terms of reducing withdrawal movement on rocuronium injection.