The authors evaluated cis-atracurium (Nimbex) in 21 patients who underwent general anaesthesia due to facial (mandibular and maxillary) fractures. In 13 patients cis-atracurium was used for intubation and after 120 sec the intubation conditions were evaluated. The conditions were sufficient and almost excellent in all cases. For maintance of anaesthesia cis-atracurium was used in half of the patients in continuous infusion of 1 µg/kg/min. This way was superior for short procedures (60 minutes). In the other half of the patients cis-atracurium was supplemented by boluses of 0.025–0.030 mg/kg at interval of 30–40 minutes. The conditions for extubation were sufficient in all cases (in the group with intermittent supplementation of cis-atracurium we had to reverse neuromuscular blockade in 4 patients). Extubation was possible even in the case of intermaxillary fixation. There were no allergic reactions (no cutaneous erythema).

        Key words: cis-atracurium – facial fractures – intubation – administration of general anaesthesia – extubation