The Yale journal of biology and medicine
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Anesthesiologists perceive that the ideal muscle relaxant is not yet available, particularly the nondepolarizing one with a rapid onset and a short duration of action. There is also a need for relaxants with different durations of action but which would be free from side effects. ⋯ Mivacurium has an onset comparable to that of atracurium and vecuronium but with a duration of action which is intermediate in duration between these drugs and succinylcholine. Rocuronium is a drug with a fast onset of action capable of being used in place of succinylcholine but with a duration of action which is similar to that of vecuronium.
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There are multiple sites at which the brachial plexus block can be induced in selecting regional anesthesia for upper extremity surgical patients. The most frequently used blocks are axillary, infraclavicular, supraclavicular, and interscalene. One must understand brachial plexus anatomy to use these blocks effectively, as well as the practical clinical differences between the blocks. ⋯ Interscalene block is especially effective for surgical procedures involving the shoulder or upper arm because the roots of the brachial plexus are most easily blocked with this technique. The final needle tip position with this block is potentially near the centroneuraxis and arteries perfusing the brain, thus careful aspiration of the needle and incremental injection are important. In summary, when an understanding of branchial plexus anatomy is combined with proper block technique and a patient- and procedure-specific balancing of risk-benefit, our patients and colleagues will be coadvocates of our branchial plexus regional blocks.
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This paper will review the basics of neurostimulation in the perioperative period. Following a brief overview of neuromuscular physiology, the mechanism of action of depolarizing and non-depolarizing relaxants will be discussed. ⋯ Clinical assessment of neuromuscular function will then be compared with both subjective and objective means of assessment of adequacy of intraoperative relaxation and postoperative reversal. The principles reviewed in this paper will then be applied in the clinical setting, and risks and benefits associated with perioperative use of muscle relaxants will be discussed.