Failure to recognise residual neuromuscular blockade in a patient with hemiparesis: a case-based report describing a limitation of quantitative neuromuscular monitoring

Abstract

The use of non-depolarising neuromuscular blocking agents (n-NMBAs) necessitates intraoperative neuromuscular function monitoring, as undetected residual neuromuscular blockade increases the risk of postoperative complications. The use of intraoperative quantitative neuromuscular monitoring (QNMM), including calibration before administration of neuromuscular blocking agent, is therefore recommended by UK,1 USA2 and European guidelines.3