Muscle relaxants in ambulatory anesthesia

Neuromuscular blocking agents are used to facilitate tracheal intubation and surgical procedure in ambulatory anesthesia. However, the ideal neuromuscular blocking agents for ambulatory anesthesia are not yet available. The only depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent, suxamethonium, is still widely used by its rapid onset and short duration of action producing excellent intubating conditions, in spite of its numerous adverse effects. Nondepolarizing neuromuscular agents have proved to be associated with postoperative residual block more frequently than it was thought before. The use of neostigmine for reversal and the measurement of the TOF ratio during recovery are recommended after intermediate-acting neuromuscular blocking agents. Some studies have shown that tracheal intubation without neuromuscular agents may be associated with postoperative hoarseness and vocal cord injuries. Sugammadex will resolve many issues in using nondepolarizing neuromuscular agents in ambulatory anesthesia.