Residual Neuromuscular Blockade in the Postanesthetic Care Room.

Abstract

Residual neuromuscular blockade (RNB) is a postoperative complication associated with the use of nondepolarizing muscle relaxants that can cause respiratory complications. The Train of Four (TOF) is the standard method for the objective evaluation of neuromuscular blockade. Objective: To establish the percentage of residual neuromuscular blockade in adults according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I and II, from 18 years of age, subjected to balanced general anesthesia during elective surgery in the post-anesthetic recovery room (PACU) of the Instituto Hondureño de Seguridad Social Regional Norte, in the period 2023 - 2024. Patients and Methods: Descriptive, observational, quantitative, cross-sectional study; questionnaire data collection method applied to 50 patients over the age of 18, ASA I and II, who used non-depolarizing neuromuscular relaxants. Results: It was found that 8% of patients presented residual relaxation in the PACU. The clinical criterion was used in 62% while the quantitative criterion was used in 38%. Clinical judgment was used in 8% of the patients in whom residual relaxation occurred. Patients classified as ASA II showed 6% residual relaxation. Conclusion: It is concluded that the prevention of the presence of residual neuromuscular blockade is effective through the use of instrumental monitoring and not clinical criteria.