Ninety children in groups of 30, whose ages ranged between six months to twelve years were given vecuronium, fazadinium and pancuronium as a single i.v. bolus of 0.1, 1.0 and 0.1 mg/kg, respectively. Their effects on neuromuscular transmission and respiration, intubating times and conditions with abdominal relaxation they provided are evaluated. Mean times to onset and duration of effect, mean durations of apnea and relaxation were all significantly shorter with Vm than either with Fm or Pm. Transmission recovered spontaneously in the majority of patients in the Vm group within a mean time of 40.9 min. Dosages used were found to be approximately equipotent. Intubation could be carried out in a shorter time with slightly better conditions with Vm. Vm may be advantageous in children undergoing surgical intervention with short or intermediary duration and where the use of either a depolarizing relaxant or an anticholinesterase is not desirable.

Keywords: pediatric anesthesia, muscle relaxants, vecuronium, fazadinium, pancuronium