Spontaneous recovery from rocuronium measured by mechanomyography during 100- or 200-Hz tetanic stimulations compared to normalized train-of-four with acceleromyography.

Neuromuscular block recovery was evaluated using high-frequency tetanic ulnar nerve simulations compared to normalized train-of-four (NTOF) in anesthetized patients. Under intravenous general anesthesia, we compared rocuronium-induced neuromuscular recovery using 5 s 100- and 200-Hz tetanic stimulations via isometric mechanomyography to acceleromyographic NTOF in 20 consenting patients. The primary outcome was the comparison by Student's t-tests of 100- and 200-Hz tetanic fade ratios (residual force at the end of the contraction / maximal force reached during the 5 s) before rocuronium administration and at different recovery levels.

The interest of 100 versus 200 Hz tetanic stimulations to quantify low levels of residual neuromuscular blockade with mechanomyography: a pilot study.

A more sensitive method than the train-of-four ratio seems required to detect low levels of residual neuromuscular blockade before tracheal extubation. The goal of the study was to determine the potential benefit of 5 s of 100 versus 200 Hz tetanic stimulation to quantify the residual block with mechanomyography in anesthetised patients. Twenty informed and consenting 18- to 80-year-old patients undergoing nose surgery were included.

The effects of acute isovolemic hemodilution on oxygenation during one-lung ventilation.

Data on the effects of isovolemic hemodilution (IH) on oxygenation during one-lung ventilation (OLV) are lacking. We studied 47 patients with hemoglobin >14 g/dL who were scheduled for lung surgery (17 with normal lung function [group NL], 17 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] [group COPD], and 13 with COPD as control for time/anesthesia effects [group CTRL]). Anesthesia was standardized.

Lumbar plexus posterior approach: a catheter placement description using electrical nerve stimulation.

The authors describe a modified technique of posterior approach to the lumbar plexus in the psoas compartment which allows nerve stimulation for the location of the plexus and catheter placement for extended-duration surgery and postoperative patient-controlled regional analgesia. A frequent incidence of total lumbar plexus block was observed.