“I Can’t breathe”: Two Case Reports of Inadequate Reversal of Residual Muscle Paralysis

Abstract

Reversal of residual muscle paralysis is usually done at the end of a General Anaesthesia with Relaxant Technique (GART) before extubation. However, some patients may have inadequate reversal of their residual muscle paralysis. This may lead to persistent muscle paralysis despite the patient being awake from anaesthesia. A scenario of “I can’t breathe” therefore comes to play which is scary and discomforting to the affected patients. We hereby present two cases of inadequate reversal of residual muscle paralysis in our patients who underwent different procedures under general anaesthesia. The aim of this presentation is to highlight the need for adequate reversal of residual muscle paralysis, the need to routinely monitor neuromuscular function during general anaesthesia and to review the existing literature.