Postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade

ABSTRACT

Postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade or residual paralysis in the postanesthesia care unit is associated with postoperative complications such as muscle weakness, difficulty in breathing, airway obstruction, and hypoxemia. Residual paralysis can be defined by inadequate neuromuscular recovery as measured by objective neuromuscular monitoring. The train-of-four ratio threshold less than or equal to 0.9 is considered to indicate inadequate neuromuscular recovery. Careful management of residual paralysis may decrease the occurrence of adverse events associated with residual neuromuscular blockade. In this review, the clinical implications of residual neuromuscular blockade are summarized.