Postoperative residual curarization (PORC) or residual neuromuscular blockade (RNMB) is a residual paresis after emergence from general anesthesia that may occur with the use of neuromuscular-blocking drugs.

What causes residual paralysis?

Residual paralysis is associated with postoperative complications such as hypoxia, weakness, and respiratory failure. However, these complications may have many other causes so that the role of neuromuscular block is often unrecognized.

What is residual neuromuscular block?

Residual neuromuscular block is perhaps most accurately defined as the presence of signs or symptoms of muscle weakness in the postoperative period after the intraoperative administration of an NMBD.