train-of-four monitoring

Train-of-four (TOF) monitoring is a technique used by healthcare providers to assess the level of muscle relaxation caused by certain drugs, typically during surgery. It involves delivering four small electrical impulses to a nerve close to a muscle, usually in the arm or leg. The response of the muscles is then observed or measured. If little to no movement occurs, it indicates strong muscle relaxation; if more movement is seen, the relaxation is lighter. This helps doctors adjust medication doses to ensure optimal anesthesia, preventing either excessively deep paralysis or inadequate relaxation.