Clinical Research Directory

Study of the Relationship Between Curarization and Pneumoperitoneum in Laparoscopic Surgery

Sponsor: Poitiers University Hospital

Summary

The number of surgical procedures is increasing worldwide (1). Laparoscopic surgery is one of the surgical techniques that has become indispensable. Laparoscopic surgery is less invasive than laparotomy. Laparoscopic surgery is performed in several stages, one of which involves the creation of a peritoneal detachment. This detachment is achieved by the addition of a gas (CO2), which requires total relaxation of the abdominal muscle fibers. To achieve this, it is advisable to administer a muscle relaxant called curare (2). Curare-induced neuromuscular block, its depth and its release must be monitored during surgery. Curares act as acetylcholine antagonists, inducing neuromuscular block by competing with this neurotransmitter. In France, only one type of device, called an accelerometer, is used to monitor curarization. This device couples electrical stimulation of a nerve with an accelerometer. Curarization can be said to be deep, moderate, residual or absent. Despite curarization appearing deep to the accelerometer, operating conditions do not always seem ideal for abdominal contraction. Indeed, the muscles tested with this device do not concern the muscles involved in laparoscopic surgery. A currently unexploited surgical parameter, variation in insufflation pressure, could change our approach to intraoperative curarization.

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