Abstract
Neuromuscular blockade is one of the major factors of general anesthesia. In clinical situations, anesthesiologists are requested to provide enough muscle relaxation through surgery, while it is necessary that patients regain muscle power immediately after surgery. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic knowledge are essential for “better anesthetic practice”. Pharmacokinetic characteristics of muscular relaxants are being water-soluble with small clearance and distribution volumes. Therefore, there is a wide range of individual differences and plasma concentration easily increases, which occasionally causes prolonged neuromuscular blockade. In 2010, sugammadex will be available in Japan, and we have to establish new regimens suitable for a new age of neuromuscular blockade.
