Korean J Anesthesiol.  2008 Apr;54(4):367-372. 10.4097/kjae.2008.54.4.367.

The Neuromuscular Pharmacodynamics for Rocuronium at the Adductor Pollicis and the Flexor Hallucis Brevis Muscle

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medecine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ysshin@yuhs.ac
  • 2Anesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 3Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medecine, National Heath Insurance Corporation Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Korea.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Neuromuscular block is commonly monitored using the adductor pollicis (AP) because of its easy access. However, the hand may not always be accessible for neuromuscular monitoring during surgery. In that situation, monitoring of the flexor hallucis brevis (FHB) secondary to stimulation of the tibial nerve at the ankle joint may be used as an alternative.
METHODS
During propofol and remifentanil anesthesia, acceleromyography of the thumb and big toe were recorded. Single twitch responses were measured simultaneously after cumulative administration of rocuronium from 80 to 200microgram/kg at intervals of 40microgram/kg. Furthermore, the amount of rocuronium required for 50% and 95% twitch height depression were calculated. Rocuronium was infused continuously to maintain 5% to 15% twitch responses. We also obtained the onset, duration of action, and antagonism effect of neostigmine from both muscles via neostigmine (20microgram/kg) administration.
RESULTS
ED50 and ED95 were significantly lower in the AP than in the FHB. The highest twitch response at peak and neostigmine antagonism were significantly higher in the FHB than in the AP. However, there was no significant difference in the onset time or duration of neostigmine between AP and FHB.
CONCLUSIONS
Due to its resistance to rocuronium, the onset of FHB is not a good indicator of optimal conditions for tracheal intubation. Also, because of its higher antagonism effect, there is potential risk of overlooking a residual block. Sufficient recovery of the block should be readjusted to estimate recovery in the FHB with the use of other reliable clinical tests.

Keyword

acceleromyography; adductor pollicis; flexor hallucis brevis; pharmacodynamics; rocuronium

MeSH Terms

Androstanols
Anesthesia
Ankle Joint
Depression
Hand
Intubation
Muscles
Neostigmine
Neuromuscular Blockade
Neuromuscular Monitoring
Piperidines
Propofol
Thumb
Tibial Nerve
Toes
Androstanols
Neostigmine
Piperidines
Propofol
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