The interaction of dexamethasone with sugammadex and rocuronium during general anesthesia in rhinoplasty surgeries

Abstract

Aims: Sugammadex is a cyclodextrin specifically designed to reverse the action of rocuronium through encapsulation. Theoretically, it is possible that sugammadex can encapsulate cortisone. There have been conflicting results regarding clinical dexamethasone-sugammadex interactions in patients under general anesthesia. The primary outcome of the present study is to investigate any possible alteration in the efficacy of sugammadex as a reversal of rocuronium due to dexamethasone injection in rhinoplasty surgery. The secondary outcome is evaluation of clinical observation sugammadex in these groups of patients.
 Methods: Adult patients with the American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) II risk class undergoing rhinoplasty were included. All patients received standard general anesthesia with neuromuscular blockade using rocuronium. Patients were allocated to either the dexamethasone group or control group. The anesthesiologist measured the time interval between sugammadex injection and the recording of the 90% train of four. Additionally, the duration required for extubation after sugammadex injection was recorded. Finally, the signs of residual respiratory insufficiency and muscle weakness were checked in the post-anesthesia care unit until the 2nd-hour post-surgery. 
 Results: Sixty-one patients were enrolled in the study. The dexamethasone group included 30, and the control group included 31 patients. The comparison of demographic and surgical characteristics of these two groups showed no statistical difference. The duration required for extubation was higher in dexmethasone group compared to control group (p=0.001). The total rocuronium administration dose was higher in dexmethasone group (p=0.01). The time required for the recovery of the head, upper, and lower extremity lifting was longer in the dexamethasone group (p=0.001, 0.003, and 0.047, respectively). 
 Conclusion: The present study demonstrated an interaction between sugammadex and dexamethasone, which affected the reversal of neuromuscular blockade during rhinoplasty surgeries.