Comparison of Intubation Conditions of Cisatracurium with and without a Priming Dose in Patients under General Anaesthesia: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Introduction: Endotracheal intubation is a crucial procedure during general anaesthesia that maintain a patent airway and facilitate mechanical ventilation. Cisatracurium, a benzylisoquinolinium non depolarising neuromuscular blocker, offers advantages such as a predictable duration of action and organ-independent metabolism; however, it has a relatively delayed onset. Priming with a subparalysing dose may expedite the onset and improve intubating conditions. Aim: To compare the intubating conditions of cisatracurium with and without a priming dose in patients undergoing general anaesthesia. Materials and Methods: This randomised controlled trial was conducted from July 2023 to July 2025 at Department of Anaesthesia, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC) and Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital (AVBRH), Wardha, Maharashtra, India. After obtaining informed consent, 60 American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-II patients undergoing elective surgeries were enrolled. Patients were randomised and single-blinded into two groups: Group C (cisatracurium intubating dose of 0.15 mg/kg) and Group CP (a priming dose of one-fifth of 0.15 mg/kg followed by the remaining dose for intubation). The onset of neuromuscular blockade, intubating conditions, haemodynamic parameters, and adverse events were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27.0, applying Independent samples t-tests and Chi-square tests, with p-value