Is postoperative residual curarization still a problem?

Abstract

ORE THAN 20 years ago, it was docu. mented that postoperative residual curarization (PORC) was frequent in patients given longacting neuromuscular blocking agents. 1 Later studies from many different parts of the world confirmed these findings but also showed that the incidence was significantly less when intermediate-acting neuromuscular blocking agents were used. 2-5 This, together with more recent research documenting that residual block is a real threat to the patient, 6-1~ led to a gradual disappearance of longacting muscle relaxants from clinical use in many parts of the world and to a corresponding increase in the use of intermediate-acting drugs. Does this mean that the problems of PORC have disappeared? This article analyzes the present situation with respect to PORC after the use of muscle relaxants. Included are sections on the definition, the incidence, the diagnosis, the clinical significance, and the prevention of PORC.