The Vital capacity technique is known to have some advantages over the tidal volume technique during inhalation induction of anesthesia. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of withdrawal movement associated with the intravenous administration of rocuronium 0.3 mg/kg in children during inhalation induction with sevoflurane using the tidal volume and vital capacity techniques.

We randomly assigned 130 patients (aged 5-12 years) to either tidal volume (group T) or vital capacity (group V) groups for inhalation induction with sevoflurane. Rocuronium 0.3 mg/kg was administrated after loss of the eyelash reflex. The time to loss of the eyelash reflex was recorded and adverse events during induction were documented. The patient's response to rocuronium injection was graded using a four-point scale.

No significant differences were observed between the groups with respect to age, weight, and gender. The time to loss of the eyelash reflex was more rapid in group V than in group T (P < 0.05). Excitatory movement developed more frequently in group T, and no significant differences were found in the incidence of other adverse events between the groups. The incidence of withdrawal movement associated with the injection of rocuronium was significantly lower in group V compared to group T (30 vs. 60%; P < 0.05).

Inhalation induction with sevoflurane using the vital capacity technique decreased the incidence of withdrawal movement during the injection of rocuronium compared to the tidal volume technique.