Assessment of anaesthetic adequacy with upper facial and abdominal wall EMG

We compared changes in biopotentials arising from upper facial (FEMG) and abdominal (AEMG) muscles associated with alterations in alveolar enflurane concentration and neuromuscular block. Induction of anaesthesia significantly reduced both FEMG and AEMG mean amplitudes (-60% and -43%, respectively). Neuromuscular blocker-induced abolition of the electrically evoked thenar EMG response did not prevent FEMG and/or AEMG activation during endotracheal intubation. Decreasing the alveolar enflurane concentration was associated with an increase in FEMG amplitude prior to visible signs of arousal in half of the patients. Movement and other signs of inadequate anaesthesia were associated with distinct increases in FEMG amplitude in 29 out of 30 patients. Recovery from neuromuscular block during unchanged alveolar enflurane concentration was associated with increasing amplitudes of both FEMG and AEMG. Finally, very low-amplitude FEMG recordings were always associated with relaxed abdominal muscles.