Assessment of the postoperative residual curarisation using the train of four stimulation with acceleromyography

The aim of this study was to measure the incidence of patients with train of four ratio < 0.9 in the immediate postoperative period using acceleromyography. At arrival in recovery room, 257 patients were enrolled. Train of four ratio was assessed at the adductor pollicis using TOF-GUARD INMT apparatus. Patients were divided in two groups according to TOF ratio < (group 1) or > (group 2) to 0.9. Demographic variables, dose (mg), dose/weight ratio (mg.kg-1) of atracurium and surgery duration (min) were registered. There was no difference in demographic variables, duration of surgery (100.90 +/- 67.38/94.83 +/- 62.42 min), number of incidence reversal of neuromuscular block. Patients in group 1 (n = 72) received a higher dose (54.58 +/- 38.03/41.43 +/- 19.47 mg) of atracurium compared to group 2 (n = 176). Thirty percent of patients presented a train of four ratio < 0.7 and 13% < 0.9. TOF-GUARD INMT was easy to use.