ED50 of remifentanil for providing excellent intubating conditions when co-administered with a single standard dose of propofol without the use of muscle relaxants in children: dose-finding clinical trial.

Purpose: Previous studies evidenced that orotracheal intubation without neuromuscular blockers is feasible in children and has some potential advantages. Remifentanil has favorable pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties as an opioid for orotracheal intubation, but its dose for excellent intubation conditions when co-administered with propofol has not been established. This study was designed to find the minimum effective dose of remifentanil for excellent intubation conditions of children when co-administered with propofol, without neuromuscular relaxant drugs.