In this article current indications and limitations of neuromuscular m
onitoring are reviewed. Attention is mainly focused on detection of re
sidual curarisation. New insights in the pathophysiological consequenc
es of residual neuromuscular blockade and the actual criteria of compl
ete recovery are discussed. Surprisingly in this context,despite the b
enefit of neuromuscular monitoring, its utilisation in clinical practi
ce is rather an exception than the routine. A lack of standardisation
of neuromuscular monitoring is probably the major problem on the way t
o a widespread utilisation of the monitoring.