Post-Operative Residual Curarization (PORC): A Big Issue for Patients' Safety

Residual Neuromuscular Blockade in the Critical Care Setting

“…[2][3][4] Estimates are that postoperative RNMB occurs in 26% to 88% of patients undergoing general anesthesia. 2 A Canadian trial found that 45% of patients transferred to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) after a surgical procedure had varying degrees of residual paralysis lasting more than 2 hours.…”

“…3 Studies completed among anesthesia providers worldwide that evaluated opinions and perceptions on RNMB have found similar views. 3,4 A survey of anesthesiologists in the United States and Europe found that most deny the presence of RNMB and do not perform monitoring to assess degree of paralysis during a surgical procedure. 4 Among providers surveyed in Australia and New Zealand, approximately half considered RNMB to be a substantial challenge; however, readily available objective monitoring was not implemented during surgical cases and these providers tended to rely solely on subjective findings during patient assessment.…”

“…3,4 A survey of anesthesiologists in the United States and Europe found that most deny the presence of RNMB and do not perform monitoring to assess degree of paralysis during a surgical procedure. 4 Among providers surveyed in Australia and New Zealand, approximately half considered RNMB to be a substantial challenge; however, readily available objective monitoring was not implemented during surgical cases and these providers tended to rely solely on subjective findings during patient assessment. 3 Most providers surveyed were unable to assess proper extubation criteria correctly and were unaware of research advancements and improvements made in monitoring modalities.…”