Residual neuromuscular block is a risk factor for postoperative pulmonary complications A prospective, randomised, and blinded study of postoperative pulmonary complications after atracurium, vecuronium and pancuronium

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Abstract
Background: After anaesthesia involving pancuronium a high incidence of both residual neuromuscular block and postoperative pulmonary complications (POPC) has been reported. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of POPC following the use of pancuronium, atracurium, and vecuronium, and to examine the effect of residual neuromuscular block on the incidence of POPC.Methods: A total of 691 adult patients undergoing abdominal, gynaecological, or orthopaedic surgery under general anaesthesia were randomised to receive either pancuronium, atracurium, or vecuronium. Perioperatively, the response to train‐of‐four (TOF) nerve stimulation was evaluated manually. Post‐operatively, the TOF ratios were measured mechanomyograph‐ically, and through a 6‐day follow‐up the patients were examined for pulmonary complications.Results: The incidence of residual block, defined as a TOF ratio Conclusion: Postoperative residual block caused by pancuronium is a significant risk factor for development of POPC.