Rapid tracheal intubation with vecuronium: the timing principle.

A method of administration of vecuronium for intubation that allows excellent intubating conditions in 60 seconds after the induction of anesthesia is described. Patients were divided into three groups based on the dose of vecuronium given. These patients were given either 0.10 mg/kg, 0.15 mg/kg, or 0.20 mg/kg of vecuronium intravenously. Intubating doses of vecuronium were given prior to the induction of anesthesia with sodium thiopental. Administration of the sodium thiopental was timed to the onset of clinical weakness in each patient.