Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Apr 1995
Recovery from neuromuscular blockade: residual curarisation following atracurium or vecuronium by bolus dosing or infusions.
We conducted a survey of the incidence of Postoperative Residual Curarisation (PORC) in two groups of patients following the use of atracurium or vecuronium. In the first group (B) the neuromuscular blocking drugs were administered by bolus dosing, and in the second group (I) by continuous fusion. On arrival in the recovery room, neuromuscular function was assessed both by compound evoked electromyogram (EMG) in a train of four pattern and also clinically, by the ability to sustain a headlift for > 5 seconds, and to cough. ⋯ Clinical criteria of adequate neuromuscular reversal revealed different results, with the majority of patients being unable to perform either clinical test on arrival in recovery. Those patients in whom a peripheral nerve stimulator was used intra-operatively did not have a reduced incidence of PORC. We have demonstrated that PORC is still a common occurrence even with intermediate duration of action neuromuscular blocking drugs.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Apr 1995
Case ReportsThe laryngeal mask simplifies airway management during percutaneous dilational tracheostomy.
The Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) is used for many procedures which previously required endotracheal intubation. Percutaneous Dilational Tracheostomy (PCT) facilitates the bedside insertion of a tracheostomy tube in the Intensive Care Unit. ⋯ Insertion of a LMA has advantages over tracheal intubation for PCT mainly because the artificial airway lies remote from the operating field. Three cases are reported to illustrate these advantages.