Comparison of Face Mask Ventilation before and after the Administration of Neuromuscular Blocking

What is it about?

Comparison of Face Mask Ventilation before and after the Administration of Neuromuscular Blocking

Featured Image

Why is it important?

Background: Anesthesiologist often check for the ability to ventilate the patient before administering neuromuscular blocking drugs to avoid cannot intubate-cannot ventilate scenario. Aim: To compare the ease of ventilation before and after administration of Neuromuscular Blocking Drugs (NMBD) in terms of expired tidal volume as the primary aim. Materials and Methods: One hundred adult (> 18 years of age) patients of both sexes, undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia were selected. Different predictors for difficult mask ventilation were assessed preoperatively. Peak Inspiratory Pressure (PIP) in cm H2O, expired tidal volume (TV) in ml, minute ventilation (MV) in litres and ease of ventilation of the patient were noted one minute after induction with propofol and again one minute after giving NMBD. Results: It was seen that facemask ventilation was better after administration of NMBD. The mean (SD) expired tidal volume in ml increased from 414 (110) to 442 (115) and the peak inspiratory pressure decreased from 18 (5.4) to 14 (3.5) (p < 0.001). No patient who was difficult to ventilate after induction became impossible after NMBD. Conclusion: We concluded that facemask ventilation improves after NMBD.

Perspectives