Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Neuromuscular Blockade: What Are the Recommendations in the USA and Other Countries?

Practice Guidelines for Monitoring Neuromuscular Blockade-Elements to Change to Increase the Quality of Anesthesiological Procedures and How to Improve the Acceleromyographic Method

Neuromuscular blocking agents are a crucial pharmacological element of general anesthesia. Decades of observations and scientific studies have resulted in the identification of many risks associated with the uncontrolled use of neuromuscular blocking agents during general anesthesia or an incomplete reversal of neuromuscular blockade in the postoperative period. Residual relaxation and acute postoperative respiratory depression are the most serious consequences. Cyclic recommendations have been developed by anesthesiology societies from many European countries as well as from the United States and New Zealand. The newest recommendations from the American Society of Anesthesiologists and the European Society of Anesthesiology were published in 2023. These publications contain very detailed recommendations for monitoring the dosage of skeletal muscle relaxants in the different stages of anesthesia-induction, maintenance and recovery, and the postoperative period. Additionally, there are recommendations for various special situations (for example, rapid sequence induction) and patient populations (for example, those with organ failure, obesity, etc.). The guidelines also refer to pharmacological drugs for reversing the neuromuscular transmission blockade. Despite the development of several editions of recommendations for monitoring neuromuscular blockade, observational and survey data indicate that their practical implementation is very limited. The aim of this review was to present the professional, technical, and technological factors that limit the implementation of these recommendations in order to improve the implementation of the guidelines and increase the quality of anesthesiological procedures and perioperative safety.

Residual Neuromuscular Block Remains a Safety Concern for Perioperative Healthcare Professionals: A Comprehensive Review

Residual neuromuscular block (RNMB) remains a significant safety concern for patients throughout the perioperative period and is still widely under-recognized by perioperative healthcare professionals. Current literature suggests an association between RNMB and an increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications, a prolonged length of stay in the post anesthesia care unit (PACU), and decreased patient satisfaction. The 2023 American Society of Anesthesiologists Practice Guidelines for Monitoring and Antagonism of Neuromuscular Blockade provide guidance for the use of quantitative neuromuscular monitoring coupled with neuromuscular reversal to recognize and reduce the incidence of RNMB. Using sugammadex for the reversal of neuromuscular block as well as quantitative neuromuscular monitoring to quantify the degree of neuromuscular block may significantly reduce the risk of RNMB among patients undergoing general anesthesia. Studies are forthcoming to investigate how using neuromuscular blocking agent reversal with quantitative monitoring of the neuromuscular block may further improve perioperative patient safety.

Comparison of visual and electromyographic assessments with train-of-four stimulation of the ulnar nerve: a prospective cohort study

PURPOSE

The use of a peripheral nerve stimulator to assess the level of neuromuscular blockade tasks the anesthesia clinician with subjectively assessing the response to neurostimulation. In contrast, objective neuromuscular monitors provide quantitative information. The purpose of this study was to compare subjective evaluations from a peripheral nerve stimulator with objective measurements of neurostimulation responses from a quantitative monitor.

METHODS

Patients were enrolled preoperatively, and intraoperative neuromuscular blockade management was at the discretion of the anesthesiologist. Electromyography electrodes were placed over the dominant or nondominant arm in a randomized fashion. Following onset of nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockade, the ulnar nerve was stimulated, the response was measured with electromyography, and anesthesia clinicians, who were blinded to the objective measurements, subjectively (visually) evaluated the response to neurostimulation.

RESULTS

Fifty patients were enrolled and 666 neurostimulations were performed at 333 different time points. Anesthesia clinicians subjectively overestimated the response of the adductor pollicis muscle following neurostimulation of the ulnar nerve 155/333 (47%) of the time when compared with objective electromyographic measurements. When subjective evaluations and objective measurements differed to any degree, subjective evaluations were higher than objective measurements 155/166 (92%) of the time (95% CI, 87 to 95; P < 0.001), representing significant evidence that subjective evaluation overestimates the response to train-of-four stimulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Subjective observations of a "twitch" do not consistently correspond to objective measurements of neuromuscular blockade with electromyography. Subjective evaluation overestimates the response to neurostimulation and may be unreliable for determining the depth of block or confirming adequate recovery.

REVersal of nEuromusculAr bLocking Agents in Patients Undergoing General Anaesthesia (REVEAL Study)

Background: Neuromuscular blocking agent (NMBA) monitoring and reversals are key to avoiding residual curarization and improving patient outcomes. Sugammadex is a NMBA reversal with favorable pharmacological properties. There is a lack of real-world data detailing how the diffusion of sugammadex affects anesthetic monitoring and practice. Methods: We conducted an electronic health record analysis study, including all adult surgical patients undergoing general anesthesia with orotracheal intubation, from January 2016 to December 2019, to describe changes and temporal trends of NMBAs and NMBA reversals administration. Results: From an initial population of 115,046 surgeries, we included 37,882 procedures, with 24,583 (64.9%) treated with spontaneous recovery from neuromuscular block and 13,299 (35.1%) with NMBA reversals. NMBA reversals use doubled over 4 years from 25.5% to 42.5%, mainly driven by sugammadex use, which increased from 17.8% to 38.3%. Rocuronium increased from 58.6% (2016) to 94.5% (2019). Factors associated with NMBA reversal use in the multivariable analysis were severe obesity (OR 3.33 for class II and OR 11.4 for class III obesity, p-value < 0.001), and high ASA score (OR 1.47 for ASA III). Among comorbidities, OSAS, asthma, and other respiratory diseases showed the strongest association with NMBA reversal administration. Conclusions: Unrestricted availability of sugammadex led to a considerable increase in pharmacological NMBA reversal, with rocuronium use also rising. More research is needed to determine how unrestricted and safer NMBA reversal affects anesthesia intraoperative monitoring and practice.

Trismus during tracheal extubation as a complication of general anaesthesia – A case report

Tracheal extubation is a risky phase of anaesthesia. Most complications that occur when an endotracheal tube is removed are of minor nature, but those that require critical action can end in serious complications or even death. Patient – A 55-year-old woman was admitted for elective transabdominal hysterectomy and adnexal procedures. Anaesthesia – Standard monitoring. For induction, we used fentanyl, propofol, and rocuronium. The maintenance phase of anaesthesia was without complications. After extubation, the patient presented with severe trismus and mask ventilation was unsuccessful (cannot ventilate) – It was not until 200 mg of succinylcholine was administered that the masseter muscle spasm subsided.

Extubation is a process that must always be planned. A routine approach and lack of a contingency plan is responsible for a number of complications related to the period of patient awakening and associated with the removal of the endotracheal tube. Trismus, in response to extubation, is a phenomenon not described in the literature in non-high risk patients.

Neuromuscular monitoring during general anaesthesia: a review of current national and international guidelines

Background

The extent to which neuromuscular monitoring is included in professional anaesthesia society guidelines is unclear. Our aim was to comprehensively review neuromuscular monitoring guidelines published by these societies.

Methods

National societies were identified using the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists' member list and further manual searches were undertaken to identify multinational societies and specialist medical colleges. A web search and secondary literature search were conducted to locate guidelines for monitoring during anaesthesia. The income of each nation or group of nations was determined using the World Bank classification.

Results

Forty guidelines were identified. Of 38 nations or classifiable groups of nations, 25 (66%) were high-income nations and 13 (34%) were middle-income nations. Neuromuscular monitoring was mentioned in 36 (90%) of the 40 guidelines. Availability of neuromuscular monitoring was mentioned in 17 (47%) guidelines (mandated in eight [47%] and recommended in nine [53%]). Use of neuromuscular monitoring was mentioned in 26 (72%) guidelines (mandated in three [12%] and recommended in 23 [88%]). Quantitative neuromuscular monitoring was specified in nine (25%) of the guidelines, with the type of monitoring unspecified in the remaining 27 (75%) of the 36 guidelines. Quantitative monitoring was only mandated in one guideline, and this was only when monitoring equipment was available.

Conclusions

We identified a gap in the availability of professional anaesthesia society neuromuscular monitoring guidelines, particularly in middle- and low-income nations. Recommendations about availability, use and type of monitoring varied among guidelines. An effort to improve the availability and consistency of guidelines is required.

Dynamometer based hand grip strength as a clinical tool for objective assessment of post-operative residual muscle weakness

Background and Aims:

Residual neuromuscular block continues to be a significant postoperative complication despite neuromuscular monitoring. This study aims to determine the applicability of a hand-held forced dynamometer for hand grip strength assessment as an objective measure of residual muscle weakness.

Methods:

The study included patients undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia. A demonstration was given to the patient on the usage of a dynamometer for handgrip strength and a peak expiratory flow meter for peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and baseline values were recorded. The parameters were monitored at 15 minutes post-extubation and again at intervals of 15 minutes until one hour, half-hourly until four hours, and hourly until six hours post-operatively. Paired t-test was used for comparison of baseline muscle strength and PEFR with the parameters at different time points. Association between muscle strength and PEFR was tested with the Pearson-correlation test.

Results:

Muscle strength was 50 to 60%, 75% and 100% of baseline at 15, 45 and 210 minutes after extubation, respectively. PEFR was 50 to 60%, 75% and 100% of baseline at 15, 60 and 180 minutes after extubation. The Pearson-correlation test established a positive correlation between handgrip strength and PEFR (correlation-coefficient 0.86).

Conclusion:

A significant reduction in the postoperative muscle strength can be detected using an objective forced dynamometer to measure handgrip strength even when train of four count has returned to unity and even when there are no clinical signs of muscle weakness. The residual muscle weakness is significant enough to affect the PEFR in the postoperative period.

Comparison of the TOFscan and the TOF-Watch SX during pediatric neuromuscular function recovery: a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

TOFscan is a three-dimensional acceleromyography neuromuscular monitoring device that does not require initial calibration before muscle relaxant injection. This study aimed to compare TOFscan with TOF-Watch SX, the currently widely accepted uni-dimensional acceleromyography, for use among the pediatric population. We aimed to assess the agreement between TOFscan with TOF-Watch SX in the pediatric population's neuromuscular recovery.

METHODS

A total of 35 children aged 6-12 years were enrolled. Prior to any muscle relaxant injection, TOFscan and TOF-Watch SX were applied at each opposite arm and monitoring began concurrently throughout neuromuscular recovery. Calibration was performed for TOF-Watch SX, and train-of-four values were recorded every 15 s. Agreement between the two devices was evaluated with Modified Bland-Altman analysis.

RESULTS

The bias between TOF-Watch SX and TOFscan were all within the 95% limits of agreement. The bias and standard deviation were smaller and the limit of agreement was narrower in the normalized group than in the non-normalized group [normalized bias -0.002 (95% CI, -0.013 to 0.010), standard deviation (SD) 0.111 vs non-normalized bias 0.010 (95% CI, -0.003 to 0.0236), SD 0.127].

CONCLUSIONS

TOFscan reliably demonstrated lack of bias and good concordance with TOF-Watch SX throughout the neuromuscular recovery, especially when normalized. Despite technical limitations, the two devices were unbiased along the path of spontaneous and pharmacological reversal in pediatric patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03775603. Registered on 13 March 2018.

Neuromuscular Blockade Monitoring

Neuromuscular monitoring is essential for optimal management of neuromuscular blocking drugs. Postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade continues to occur with an unacceptably high incidence and is associated with adverse patient outcomes. Use of a peripheral nerve stimulator and subjective tactile or visual assessment is useful for intraoperative management of neuromuscular blockade, especially when the patient's hand is accessible. Quantitative monitoring is necessary for confirmation of adequate reversal and for identification of patients who have recovered spontaneously and therefore should not receive pharmacologic reversal agents. Guidelines, as well as more user-friendly monitoring equipment, have created momentum toward improving routine perioperative neuromuscular monitoring.

The latest trend in neuromuscular monitoring: return of the electromyography

To reduce the risk of residual neuromuscular blockade, neuromuscular monitoring must be performed. Acceleromyography (AMG)-based neuromuscular monitoring was regarded as “clinical gold standard” and widely applied. However, issues related to patient’s posture and overestimation of train-of-four ratio associated with AMG-based neuromuscular monitoring have increased. Recently, electromyography (EMG)-based neuromuscular monitoring is receiving renewed attention, since it overcomes AMG’s weaknesses. However, both AMG-based and EMG-based systems are useful when certain considerations are followed. Ultimately, to assure the patient’s good outcomes, the choice of monitoring system is not as important as the monitoring itself, which should be always implemented in such patients.