title: Influence of intense neuromuscular blockade on surgical conditions during laparotomy: a pig model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Intense neuromuscular block may improve surgical conditions in ileus laparotomies; however, it is difficult to evaluate. The aim of this study was to investigate if neuromuscular block improved surgical conditions in pigs with artificial ileus laparotomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six pigs were endotracheally intubated, mechanically ventilated, anesthetized with propofol and fentanyl, and randomized into two groups in a cross-over assessor-blinded design. Neuromuscular block was established with rocuronium. Artificial laparotomy for ileus was performed. We investigated the influence of intense neuromuscular block on surgical conditions with a subjective rating scale, force needed to close the fascia, incidences of abdominal contractions while suctioning the lungs, width of the wound diastase and operating time as outcome parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all six pigs no abdominal contractions occurred while suctioning the lungs at intense neuromuscular block. Without neuromuscular block we detected abdominal contractions seen as hiccups and bucking. In all six pigs during intense neuromuscular block we found no visible electromyographic (EMG) activity in the abdominal muscles while suctioning the lungs. Without neuromuscular block suctioning the lungs elicited brief periods of abdominal EMG activity. No difference was found in the force needed to close the fascia when comparing no neuromuscular block with intense neuromuscular block. Furthermore, no significant differences were found in the width of the diastase, operating time and subjective ratings using a four-point rating scale when comparing no neuromuscular block with intense neuromuscular block. However, these outcomes were related to the order of the suturing round.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intense neuromuscular block prevented abdominal muscle contractions but did not influence the force needed to close the fascia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev Ringvej 75, 2730, Herlev, Denmark, matias.vested.madsen@regionh.dk.
authors.forename: Matias Vested
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Madsen
authors.forename: Anders Meller
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Donatsky
authors.forename: Bente Rona
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
authors.forename: Karsten Pharao
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Hammelev
authors.forename: Mona Ring
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Gätke
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000732:Androstanols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000379:methods*; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D019148:Neuromuscular Blockade / Q000379:methods*; D015742:Propofol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000077123:Rocuronium; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D000732:Androstanols; D000077123:Rocuronium; D015742:Propofol