Postoperative residual block in postanesthesia care unit more than two hours after the administration of a single intubating dose of atracurium.

Background: Residual neuromuscular blockade continues to be a clinical problem after surgical procedures. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of residual paralysis in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) after a single intubating dose of twice of the 95% estimated dose (ED95) of a nondepolarizing muscle relaxant with an intermediate duration of action.

Methods: Two hundred and sixteen patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia requiring tracheal intubation were included in the study.