Intubating Conditions of Neuromuscular Blockade

Intubating Conditions at Various Levels of Neuromuscular Blockade

The purpose of this research is to learn about the difference in the endotracheal intubation condition (ease of using a device to view vocal cords, position of vocal cords, and patient's reaction to endotracheal tube insertion) and determining the appropriate time to perform the intubation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients willing to participate and provide an informed consent.
• Patients undergoing elective surgical procedures that require use of NMBA agents (rocuronium) administered intraoperatively.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with disorders, such as stroke, carpal tunnel syndrome, broken wrist with nerve damage, Dupuytren contracture, or any similar wrist injury.
• Patients with systemic neuromuscular diseases such as myasthenia gravis.
• Patients with significant organ dysfunction that can significantly affect pharmacokinetics of neuromuscular blocking and reversal agents; i.e., severe renal impairment or end-stage liver disease.
• Patients having surgery that would involve prepping the arm into the sterile field.
• Patients receiving a rapid sequence induction.