New Aspects of Monitoring Neuromuscular Block

Abstract

  I review a method for monitoring neuromuscular block using acceleration transducer in anesthetized patients in the prone position. If the muscular branch of the femoral nerve is stimulated and the movement of the vastus medialis muscle is measured accelerographically, the degree of neuromuscular block can be assessed. The duration of vecuronium-induced neuromuscular block is prolonged in diabetic patients under isoflurane or sevoflurane anesthesia, however, it is not slowed in diabetic patients under total intravenous anesthesia. The reversal effect of neostigmine on vecuronium-induced neuromuscular block in diabetic patients is less than that in non-diabetic patients. Ulinastatin, gabexate mesilate, nicorandil, milrinone, and amino acid solution speed recovery from neuromuscular block in anesthetized patients receiving vecuronium.