Når muskelrelaxantia har uventet lang virkningsvarighed under anæstesi

Muscle relaxation facilitates tracheal intubation and improves surgical conditions during anaesthesia. However, unexpected prolonged muscle relaxation may occur. This article describes important causes of prolonged muscle relaxation and gives suggestions for its prevention. Drug interactions, incomplete reversal, co-morbidity, inaccurate neuromuscular monitoring and critical illness may prolong the effect of muscle relaxants. The anaesthetist must titrate the muscle relaxants using objective neuromuscular monitoring and proper reversal of the blockade when needed.