Background and objective Situations may occur in anaesthetic practice where the use of neuromuscular blocking drugs is unsuitable or contraindicated. We investigated the use of propofol given 5 min after fentanyl to permit endotracheal intubation in children. Methods We studied the intubating conditions and cardiovascular parameters in 60 ASA I and II children. Intravenous midazolam (0.1mgkg−1) was given as premedication 5 min before the induction of anaesthesia. The children received different doses of propofol (group I, 2.5mgkg−1; group II, 3.0mgkg−1; group III, 3.5mgkg−1) preceded by fentanyl (3.0 μgkg−1) given 5 min earlier. No neuromuscular blocking agents were administered. The intubating conditionswere assessed using a four-point scoring system based on the degree of difficulty of laryngoscopy, the position of vocal cords and the intensity of coughing.

Results Tracheal intubating conditions were adequate in 20% of the patients in group I, in 75% of the patients in group II and in 80% of the patients in group III (P < 0.05 for group I vs. groups II and III). Haemodynamic changes were not significantly different between the groups.

Conclusions Propofol (3.0mgkg−1) preceded by fentanyl (3.0 μgkg−1) was adequate for the induction of anaesthesia in children and provided adequate tracheal intubating conditions without significant haemodynamic changes. This method represents a useful alternative technique for tracheal intubation when neuromuscular blocking drugs are contraindicated or should be avoided.