Hand dynamometer and clinical tests to evaluate the recovery of neuromuscular conductance in atracurium versus rocuronium in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery

Background. Postoperative muscle weakness is not unusual and may be related to postoperative complications in patients after general anesthesia. However, the clinical practice of neuromuscular conductance monitoring is uncommon among anesthesiologists. The objective was to evaluate the rate of neuromuscular recovery after atracurium and rocuronium and to determine the numerical value of grip strength using a hand dynamometer, indicating the safety of transferring a patient from the postoperative ward. study design. A prospective, observational, clinical comparison study. Materials and Methods . Upon proper authorization and approval from the local ethics committee, patients referred for laparoscopic surgery, 120 patients of the American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) physical status I &II between ages 20–49 years were randomly assigned into 2 groups of 60 each. Group I received a single atracurium dose of 0.5mg/kg of ideal body weight and Group II patients received a single rocuronium dose of 0.6mg/kg of ideal body weight. Parameters such as modified Alderete score (MAS), grip strength, and sustained head and leg lift for five seconds were compared in both groups 50 minutes after giving the reversal agent at 10-minute intervals. Results. Postoperative muscle recovery (grip strength) was faster in the atracurium group than the rocuronium group, with a p-value of 0.042 at 20 minutes, and 0.0000 for 30, 40, and 50 minutes after giving the reversal agent. The time to obtain a modified Alderete score (MAS) > 8 scores was statistically insignificant with a p-value of 0.335. Positive clinical test for sustained head lift for 5 seconds was statistically insignificant within a majority of the time, except in the 20 minutes, most of the cases in the atracurium group were able to sustain head elevation for 5 seconds with a p-value of 0.021. In the 10 &20 minutes, most cases in the atracurium group could sustain leg elevation for 5 seconds with a p-value of 0.015 and 0.014 respectively. However, most cases in both groups could sustain head and leg elevation for 5 seconds in the 30 minutes after giving a reversal agent. Conclusion. Compared to rocuronium, atracurium has been associated with faster muscle recovery after a single tracheal intubation dose for a short surgery. This was determined by utilizing an electronic hand dynamometer to measure grip strength. 42% grip strength from baseline might be applicable for safe discharge from the recovery room. A hand dynamometer assessment revealed more post-operative muscle weakening than a clinical evaluation.