Avaliação do Bloqueio Neuromuscular Residual e da Recurarização Tardia na Sala de Recuperação Pós-Anestésica * Evaluation of Residual Neuromuscular Block and Late Recurarization in the Post-Anesthetic Care Unit

SUMMARY Almeida MCS, Camargo DR, Linhares SF, Pederneiras SG -Evaluation of Residual Neuromuscular Block and Late Recura-rization in the Post-Anesthetic Care Unit BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Residual postoperativeparalysis impairs airway patency increasing the risk for postop-erative complications. Anti-cholinesterase agents improveneuromuscular transmission by acetylcholine build up in theendplate.However,when there is no longerneostigmine effect,“recurarization” is theoretically possible since the antagonistagent does not displace neuromuscular blocker from its actionsite. This study aimed at determining the degree of residualneuromuscular block in the Post Anesthetic Care Unit (PACU)and at observing whether patients receiving neostigmine pre-sented the late “recurarization” phenomenon. METHODS: Participatedinthisstudy119adultpatientswhore-ceived neuromuscular blockers for different procedures. AtPACUarrival,neuromusculartransmissionhasbeenquantifiedbyacceleromyography,withstimulatingelectrodesplacedovertheulnarnerveatthewrist,thetrainoffour(TOF)wasusedwithelectrical current of 30mA at 15-minute intervals for a period of120 minutes. Residual neuromuscular block was consideredT