Article Notes
This is a very significant and large study, and should give us pause to ponder the consequences of invasive airway management and surgery requiring muscle relaxation. It is also important to note that qualitative neuromuscular monitoring (as opposed to quantitative) appears to offer no risk reduction, consistent with other research in this area.
Nonetheless, the retrospective nature of this study means these relationships should not necessarily be viewed as causal. This is not a study of an intervention per se, but the association between certain perioperative characteristics that may be unavoidable (e.g. using muscle relaxants).
An important paper for any concerned anaesthetist or anesthesiologist to read in full.
This is a great review to start with, providing a good overview of many of the myths regarding the use of neuromuscular blocking drugs that are still widely believed and practised by the global anaesthesia community.
All five of Fink & Hollman's 'myths' still hold today after reviewing the latest research in these areas.