Postoperative Residual Neuromuscular Blockade Research Articles

Incidence of postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade - A multicenter, observational study in Portugal (INSPIRE 2).

Although the use of neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) optimizes surgical conditions and facilitates tracheal intubation, it can lead to residual neuromuscular blockade (RNMB), with postoperative complications. This study aimed to assess RNMB incidence and management in Portugal. Prospective observational study of patients admitted for elective surgery requiring general anesthesia with nondepolarizing NMBAs between July 2018 and July 2019 at 10 Portuguese hospitals. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients arriving at postanesthesia care unit (PACU) with a TOF ratio <0.9. A total of 366 patients were included, with a median age of 59 years, and 89.1% classified as ASA II or III. Rocuronium was the most used NMBA (99.5%). A total of 96.2% of patients received a reversal agent, 96.6% of which sugammadex and 3.4% neostigmine. Twenty patients displayed a TOF ratio <0.9 at PACU arrival, representing an RNMB incidence of 5.5% (95% CI, 3.1%-7.8%). Only two patients displayed a TOF ratio <0.7. RNMB incidence was 16.7% with neostigmine and 5.3% with sugammadex (P = .114). In patients with intraoperative neuromuscular blockade (NMB) monitoring, RNMB incidence was 5% (95% CI, 2%-8%), which varied significantly according to the type of monitoring (P = .018). Incidence of adverse events was 3.3% (2 severe and 10 moderate). The reported overall incidence of 5.5% is numerically lower than results from similar observational studies. An appropriate pharmacological neuromuscular reversal strategy, guided by quantitative neuromuscular monitoring, has the potential to achieve even better results, converting RNMB from an unusual to a very rare or even inexistent event.

Evaluation of a Protocol for the Management of Maintenance and Reversal of Rocuronium Block Using Neostigmine or Sugammadex.

Postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade (PRNB) is defined as an adductor pollicis train-of-four ratio (TOFR) <0.9. It is a common postoperative complication when nondepolarizing muscle relaxants are either not reversed or reversed with neostigmine. PRNB has been reported in 25% to 58% of patients who receive intermediate-acting nondepolarizing muscle relaxants, and it is associated with increased morbidity and decreased patient satisfaction. We conducted a prospective descriptive cohort study during the implementation of a practice guideline that included the selective use of sugammadex or neostigmine. The primary study aim of this pragmatic study was to estimate the incidence of PRNB at arrival to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) when the practice guideline is followed. We enrolled patients undergoing orthopedic or abdominal surgery requiring neuromuscular blockade. Rocuronium administration was guided by surgical requirements and based on ideal body weight, with dose reductions for women and/or age >55 years. Only qualitative monitoring was available to the anesthesia providers, and selection of sugammadex or neostigmine was guided by tactile assessments of the response to train-of-four (TOF) stimulation by a peripheral nerve stimulator. Neostigmine was administered if no fade was detected in the TOF response at the thumb. Deeper blocks were reversed with sugammadex. The prespecified primary and secondary end points were the incidence of PRNB at arrival to the PACU, defined as a normalized TOFR (nTOFR) < 0.9, and severe PRNB, defined as nTOFR <0.7 on arrival to the PACU. Anesthesia providers were blinded to all quantitative measurements made by research staff. Analysis included 163 patients, and 145 underwent orthopedic and 18 abdominal surgeries. Of the 163 patients, 92 (56%) were reversed with neostigmine and 71 (44%) with sugammadex. The overall incidence of PRNB at PACU arrival was 5 of 163 or 3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1-7). The incidence of severe PRNB in PACU was 1% (95% CI, 0-4). Three of the 5 subjects with PRNB had TOFR <0.4 at time of reversal but were given neostigmine since anesthesia providers detected no fade by qualitative assessment. The use of a protocol that specifies rocuronium dosing and selective use of sugammadex versus neostigmine based on qualitative assessment of TOF count and fade allowed us to achieve an incidence of PRNB of 3% (95% CI, 1-7) at PACU arrival. Quantitative monitoring may be needed to further reduce this incidence.

Management of Muscle Relaxation With Rocuronium and Reversal With Neostigmine or Sugammadex Guided by Quantitative Neuromuscular Monitoring.

The optimal pharmacological reversal strategy for neuromuscular blockade remains undefined even in the setting of strong recommendations for quantitative neuromuscular monitoring by several national and international anesthesiology societies. We evaluated a protocol for managing rocuronium blockade and reversal, using quantitative monitoring to guide choice of reversal agent and to confirm full reversal before extubation. We conducted a prospective cohort study and enrolled 200 patients scheduled for elective surgery involving the intraoperative use of rocuronium. Providers were asked to adhere to a protocol that was similar to local practice recommendations for neuromusculalr block reversal that had been used for >2 years; the protocol added quantitative monitoring that had not previously been routinely used at our institution. In this study, providers used electromyography-based quantitative monitoring. Pharmacological reversal was accomplished with neostigmine if the train-of-four (TOF) ratio was 0.40 to 0.89 and with sugammadex for deeper levels of blockade. The primary end point was the incidence of postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade (PRNB), defined as TOF ratio <0.9 at time of extubation. We further evaluated the difference in pharmacy costs had all patients been treated with sugammadex. A total of 189 patients completed the study: 66 patients (35%) were reversed with neostigmine, 90 patients (48%) with sugammadex, and 33 (17%) patients recovered spontaneously without pharmacological reversal. The overall incidence of residual paralysis was 0% (95% CI, 0-1.9). The total acquisition cost for all reversal drugs was United States dollar (USD) 11,358 (USD 60 per patient) while the cost would have been USD 19,312 (USD 103 per patient, 70% higher) if sugammadex had been used in all patients. A protocol that includes quantitative monitoring to guide reversal with neostigmine or sugammadex and to confirm TOF ratio ≥0.9 before extubation resulted in the complete prevention of PRNB. With current pricing of drugs, the selective use of sugammadex reduced the total cost of reversal drugs compared to the projected cost associated with routine use of sugammadex for all patients.

Postoperative pulmonary complications after sugammadex reversal of neuromuscular blockade: a systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis

BackgroundSugammadex has been reported to lower the incidence of postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade. Despite the advantages, until recently the effects of sugammadex on postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) were controversial. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine whether reversal with sugammadex was associated with a lower risk of PPCs compared with neostigmine.MethodsPubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception to May 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies comparing PPCs in patients receiving sugammadex or neostigmine as reversal agent at the end of surgery were included. The primary outcomes focused on PPCs including desaturation, pneumonia, atelectasis, noninvasive ventilation (NIV) and reintubation. Trial sequential analysis was performed on the primary outcomes to confirm whether firm evidence was reached.ResultsMeta-analysis of included studies showed that the rate of desaturation (43.2% vs 45.0%, RR = 0.82; 95% CI 0.63 to 1.05; p = 0.11) were comparable between the two groups. When looking at other primary outcomes, significantly lower risk of pneumonia (1.37% vs 2.45%, RR = 0.65; 95% CI 0.49 to 0.85; p = 0.002), atelectasis (24.6% vs 30.4%, RR = 0.64; 95% CI 0.42 to 0.98; p = 0.04), NIV (1.37% vs 2.33%, RR = 0.65; 95% CI 0.43 to 0.98; p = 0.04) and reintubation (0.99% vs 1.65%, RR = 0.62; 95% CI 0.43 to 0.91; p = 0.01) in the sugammadex group were detected compared with the neostigmine group.ConclusionsWe concluded that sugammadex is more effective at reducing the incidence of PPCs including pneumonia, atelectasis, NIV and reintubation compared with neostigmine. Further evidence, preferably from RCTs, is required to confirm these findings.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SUGAMMADEX AT POSTOPERATIVE RESIDUAL NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCK

Introduction: postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade is the postoperative muscle paralysis caused by incomplete or null antagonism of neuromuscular blocking agents. Post-surgical residual paralysis (PORP) has a high incidence and may cause adverse effects, increasing postoperative morbidity and mortality. The gold standard for complete reversal of neuromuscular blockade is a T4/T1 ratio of 0.9. Small degrees of paralysis are associated with an increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. Recent research indicates that residual neuromuscular blockade is a significant risk factor for patient safety. Objective: to detail the current information related to postoperative residual paralysis, in addition to explaining the use and characteristics of sugammadex in its reversal. Methodology: a total of 45 articles were analyzed in this review, including review and original articles, as well as clinical cases, of which 35 bibliographies were used because the other articles were not relevant for this study. The sources of information were PubMed, Google Scholar and Cochrane; the terms used to search for information in Spanish, Portuguese and English were: postoperative residual neuromuscular block, postoperative muscle weakness, sugammadex, anticholinesterase inhibitors. Results: Neuromuscular block occurs due to muscle fragility in the postoperative period due to antagonism, which produces a decrease in the musculature of the upper and lower airways. When this phase is properly managed, extubation delays are reduced, and postoperative pulmonary complications are reduced. Sugammadex is a relaxant that decreases the possibility of persistent neuromuscular paralysis; as neuromuscular blockade increases, contraction decreases. Therefore, when this drug is used, the risk of adverse effects, mostly respiratory, is avoided. This drug inactivates rocuronium, and the adverse effects it presents (although very infrequent) are dysgeusia, cough, grimacing or increased secretion through the endotracheal tube. Conclusions: sugammadex is suggested to be used before neostigmine, although it should be used in patients with high risk of postoperative complications, such as patients over 80 years of age or with post cardiothoracic surgery. However, sugammadex reverses neuromuscular blockade more rapidly, with a decrease in the frequency of residual neuromuscular blockade and postoperative pulmonary complications such as pneumonias. A point to consider is that sugammadex is more expensive and is usually accompanied by higher presentations of adverse effects. KEY WORDS: sugammadex, paralysis, residual, postoperative, antagonism, neuromuscular.

Comparison of the neuromuscular effects of two infusion rates of rocuronium in anesthetized pigs

Background:Neuromuscular blocking agents are frequently administered to pigs used for research. In humans, administration of the drugs is not without risk and may result in accidental awareness under general anaesthesia and postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade that can lead to serious respiratory complications. Despite the extensive administration, the pharmacodynamics of neuromuscular blocking agents are not thoroughly studied in pigs. Therefore, this study investigates the neuromuscular response of two infusion rates of rocuronium, a commonly used non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent. A group of 14 female Danish Landrace-Yorkshire-Duroc pigs used for supervised surgical training, weighing 40.3 ± 2.1 kg (mean ± SD), were included in the study. They received a loading dose of 0.85 mg/kg rocuronium intravenously followed by infusion of either 2.5 mg/kg/hour (L, low dose) or 5 mg/kg/hour (H, high dose) rocuronium for 30 min. Neuromuscular monitoring was performed with acceleromyography using train-of-four (TOF) stimulation. Onset time, time to reappearance of T1, T4, TOF ratio 90% and 100% were recorded.Results:All pigs in group H experienced loss of T1 throughout rocuronium infusion, whereas six out of seven pigs in group L had reappearance of T1 during rocuronium infusion, with additional reappearance of T4 in three of these pigs. The time to recovery of TOF ratio 90% was 14.0 ± 5.4 (L) and 21.7 ± 6.1 (H) minutes and recovery to TOF ratio 100% was 18.7 ± 6.5 (L) and 27.9 ± 9.2 min (H) (mean ± SD). Substantial inter-animal variation in neuromuscular recovery time was observed.ConclusionThe large inter-animal variation in pharmacodynamic profiles emphasizes that individual neuromuscular monitoring and titration to effect should be used routinely in research protocols that include rocuronium. In addition to other important measures, these actions are key in order to avoid overdosing and limit the risk of residual neuromuscular blockade.

Predictive study of pharmacological reversal for residual neuromuscular blockade and postoperative pulmonary complications: a prospective, observational, cohort study

In recent years, some studies have generated controversy since they conclude that intraoperatively pharmacological reversal of neuromuscular blockade does not contribute to the reduction of postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade or pulmonary complications. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the incidence of residual neuromuscular blockade and postoperative pulmonary complications according to spontaneous or pharmacological neuromuscular reversal. The secondary aim was to present a prognostic model to predict the probability of having postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade depending on a patient's comorbidities and intraoperative neuromuscular blocking agents management. A single-center, prospective, observational cohort study including patients undergoing surgical procedures with general anesthesia was designed. A total of 714 patients were analyzed. Patients were divided into four groups: cisatracurium with spontaneous reversal, cisatracurium with neostigmine antagonism, rocuronium with spontaneous reversal, and rocuronium with sugammadex antagonism. According to our binomial generalized linear model, none of the studied comorbidities was a predisposing factor for an increase in the residual neuromuscular blockade. However, in our study, pharmacological reversal of rocuronium with sugammadex and, particularly, neuromuscular monitoring during surgery were the factors that most effectively reduced the risk of residual neuromuscular blockade as well as early and late postoperative pulmonary complications.

Neuromuscular Blockade Monitoring.

Neuromuscular monitoring is essential for optimal management of neuromuscular blocking drugs. Postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade continues to occur with an unacceptably high incidence and is associated with adverse patient outcomes. Use of a peripheral nerve stimulator and subjective tactile or visual assessment is useful for intraoperative management of neuromuscular blockade, especially when the patient's hand is accessible. Quantitative monitoring is necessary for confirmation of adequate reversal and for identification of patients who have recovered spontaneously and therefore should not receive pharmacologic reversal agents. Guidelines, as well as more user-friendly monitoring equipment, have created momentum toward improving routine perioperative neuromuscular monitoring.

Feasibility of Perioperative Diaphragmatic Ultrasound in Assessment of Residual Neuromuscular Blockade

Objective To evaluate the relationship between diaphragmatic ultrasound and postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade(PRNB). Methods The patients undergoing non-thoracic and abdominal surgery under general anesthesia from August to October in 2019 were randomly enrolled from Peking Union Medical College Hospital.Diaphragmatic ultrasound was acquired pre-operation and post extubation.A 4-15 MHz probe was used to measure diaphragmatic thickness at the intersection point of 8-9 intercostal space with right anterior axillary line at the end of inspiration and expiration during quiet breathing and deep breathing(DB),and the diaphragmatic thickness fraction(DTF)was calculated.A 1-5 MHz probe was used to measure diaphragmatic excursion(DE)at the intersection point of right costal margin with midaxillary line during quiet breathing and DB.Train of four ratio(TOFr)was recorded for neuromuscular monitoring.TOFr,observer assessment of alertness and sedation score at extubation,Aldrete score at postanesthesia care unit,and postoperative pulmonary complication were recorded. Results The PRNB rate was 54.7%.The DTF-DB [31.3(21.1,45.0)vs.38.5(26.6,53.9),P=0.045] and DE-DB(2.9±1.4 vs.4.1±1.0,P<0.001)in PRNB group was lower than those in the group without PRNB.DTF-DB(r=0.351,P=0.002)and DE-DB(r=0.580,P<0.001)were correlated with TOFr. Conclusion Perioperative diaphragmatic ultrasound may be helpful for the diagnosis of PRNB.

Post-operative residual neuromuscular blockade after the administration of a single intubating dose of intermediate-acting non-depolarising neuromuscular blocking agent in adult elective surgical procedures

Objectives: Post-operative residual neuromuscular blockade may result in life-threatening conditions if not properly managed making it a common and significant concern among anaesthesiologists. Among adult elective surgeries requiring single intubating dose of intermediate-acting non-depolarising neuromuscular blocking agent, the study determined the incidence and risk factors associated with post-operative residual neuromuscular blockade during early post-operative period. Materials and Methods: A prospective, open-labelled, non-randomised observational study conducted in an operating room and post-anaesthesia care unit. A total of 175 ASA-PS Class I and II patients admitted in the surgical wards scheduled for elective surgical operation and were administered of a single intubating dose of intravenous intermediate-acting non-depolarising neuromuscular blocking drug. The train-of-four (TOF) method of peripheral nerve stimulation detects the presence of post-operative residual neuromuscular blockade. Results: A significant post-operative residual paralysis was identified in specific age groups (26–35, 46–55 and 56–65), in surgical procedures in the orthopaedic service, and among patients who were given a reversal agent. Residual neuromuscular blockade is still present even if the interval between the last dose of muscle relaxant and the measurement of TOF ratio at the post-anaesthesia care unit was long, however, less than that observed in short interval surgeries. Conclusion: Clinical importance of residual neuromuscular blockade is still evident up to the present time and the present study recommends routine monitoring of neuromuscular blockade and pharmacologic antagonism in the reversal of non-depolarising neuromuscular blocking drugs.

Effects of Sugammadex on Post-Operative Pulmonary Complications in Laparoscopic Gastrectomy: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

The use of sugammadex can reduce post-operative residual neuromuscular blockade, which is known to increase the risk of post-operative respiratory events. However, its effect on post-operative pulmonary complications is not obvious. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of sugammadex on post-operative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing laparoscopic gastrectomy between 2013 and 2017. We performed propensity score matching to correct for selection bias. Post-operative pulmonary complications (i.e., pneumonia, respiratory failure, pleural effusion, atelectasis, pneumothorax, and aspiration pneumonitis) were evaluated from the radiological and laboratory findings. We also evaluated admission to the intensive care unit after surgery, re-admission or an emergency room visit within 30 days after discharge, length of hospital stay, re-operation, and mortality within 90 days post-operatively as secondary outcomes. In the initial cohort of 3802 patients, 541 patients were excluded, and 1232 patients were analyzed after propensity score matching. In the matched cohort, pleural effusion was significantly reduced in the sugammadex group compared to the neostigmine group (neostigmine 23.4% vs. sugammadex 18%, p = 0.02). Other pulmonary complications and secondary outcomes were not significantly different between the groups. In comparison to neostigmine, the use of sugammadex was associated with a lower incidence of post-operative pleural effusion in laparoscopic gastrectomy.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Postoperative Residual Neuromuscular Blockade

To define the incidence of residual neuromuscular blockade (rNMB) and identify patients at risk. Incidence of rNMB continues to be high, and risk factors are complex and difficult to predict. Sequelae of rNMB, however, are significant. Despite literature describing the significance of rNMB on patient safety, the incidence continues to be high, and risk factors are difficult to predict. Patient, anesthetic, and surgical risk factors all contribute, and an understanding of the unique risks for each individual patient is required to properly prevent rNMB.

Postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade after reversal based on a qualitative peripheral nerve stimulator response: A randomised controlled trial.

Incomplete recovery of neuromuscular blockade is a common postoperative adverse event in the postanaesthesia care unit. We examined and compared the incidence of residual neuromuscular blockade when the recommended dose of neostigmine or sugammadex was administered according to a qualitative nerve stimulator response. A randomised controlled trial. A tertiary care hospital in South Korea from September 2017 to November 2017. Eighty patients aged between 18 and 69 years were included in this study. All were patients scheduled to undergo elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy and who had an American Society of Anaesthesiologists physical status of one or two were eligible. Patients were allocated randomly to receive neostigmine or sugammadex at the end of surgery. The doses of the reversal agents were based on the response to peripheral nerve stimulation, which was discontinued after administration of the reversal agent. The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade. The secondary outcomes were the incidences of symptoms or signs of residual neuromuscular blockade such as hypoxaemia, inability to maintain head-lift for 5 s and diplopia. The incidence of residual neuromuscular blockade on arrival in the recovery room was 44.4% in the neostigmine group and 0% in the sugammadex group (P < 0.0001, relative risk = 1.80, 95% confidence interval 1.36 to 2.41). The incidences of adverse events in the recovery room were low and comparable between the groups. The incidence of residual neuromuscular blockade on arrival in the recovery room was significantly higher in the neostigmine group than that in the sugammadex group. However, the incidence of adverse events was similar in the neostigmine and sugammadex groups. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03292965.

Usefulness of intra-operative neuromuscular blockade monitoring and reversal agents for postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade: a retrospective observational study

BackgroundComplete avoidance of residual neuromuscular blockade (RNMB) during the postoperative period has not yet been achieved in current anesthesia practice. Evidently, compliance with NMB monitoring is persistently low, and the risk of RNMB during the perioperative period remains underestimated. To our knowledge, no publications have reported the incidence of RNMB in a university hospital where access to quantitative NMB monitoring and sugammadex is unlimited and where NMB management is not protocolised. The primary aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of RNMB in patients managed with or without sugammadex or neostigmine as antagonists and quantitative NMB monitoring in the operating room. The secondary aim was to explore the associations between RNMB and potentially related variables.MethodsThis retrospective observational cohort study was conducted at a tertiary referral university hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Records created between June 2015 and December 2015 were reviewed. In total, 240 consecutive patients who had undergone elective surgical procedures requiring NMB were included. All patients were monitored via acceleromyography at the adductor pollicis muscle within 5 min of arrival in the postanaesthesia care unit (PACU). Scheduled recovery in the intensive care unit was the only exclusion criterion.ResultsRNMB was present in 1.6% patients who received intra-operative quantitative NMB monitoring and 32% patients whose NMB was not monitored (P < 0.01). Multivariable analysis revealed that the use of intra-operative quantitative NMB monitoring and sugammadex were associated with a lower incidence of RNMB, with calculated odds ratios of 0.04 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.005 to 0.401) and 0.18 (95% CI: 0.046 to 0.727), respectively.ConclusionsThe results of the present study suggest that intra-operative quantitative NMB monitoring and use of sugammadex are associated with a decreased incidence of RNMB in the PACU, reinforcing the contention that the optimal strategy for RNMB avoidance is the use of quantitative NMB monitoring and eventual use of reversal agents, if needed, prior to emergence from anaesthesia.

The Effects of Postoperative Residual Neuromuscular Blockade on Hospital Costs and Intensive Care Unit Admission: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade continues to be a frequent occurrence with a reported incidence rate of up to 64%. However, the effect of postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade on health care utilization remains unclear. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to investigate the effects of postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade on hospital costs (primary outcome), intensive care unit admission rate, and hospital length of stay (secondary outcomes). We performed a prespecified secondary analysis of data obtained in 2233 adult patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia. Postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade was defined as a train-of-four ratio <0.9 in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). Our confounder model adjusted for a variety of patient, surgical, and anesthesia-related factors. We fitted truncated negative binomial regression models for hospital cost and hospital length of stay analyses and a logistic regression model for our intensive care unit admission analysis. Overall, 457 (20.5%) patients in our cohort had residual neuromuscular blockade on admission to the PACU. Postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade was not independently associated with increased hospital costs (adjusted incidence rate ratio, 1.04, CI, 0.98-1.11; P = .22). There were significantly higher odds of intensive care unit admission in those with postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade compared to those without (adjusted odds ratio, 3.03, CI, 1.33-6.87; P < .01). Further, we found a trend toward increased hospital length of stay in patients with postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade (adjusted incidence rate ratio, 1.09; P = .06). Sensitivity analysis using the same model in the day of surgery admissions and ambulatory surgery confirmed our findings. Postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade at PACU admission was not significantly associated with increased hospital costs, but was associated with higher rates of intensive care unit admission. These findings support the view that clinicians should continue to work to reduce the rate of postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade.

Type II Diabetes Mellitus Prolongs Rocuronium Induced Neuromuscular Blockade Irrespective Of Glycaemic Control

Objective: Recovery from neuromuscular blockade could be delayed and the risk of postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade (RNMB) could be an important anesthetic consideration in diabetic patients undergoing general anesthesia due to decreased nerve conduction velocity. The aim of this study was to analyse the recovery from rocuronium and the risk of postoperative RNMB in type-II diabetic patients undergoing general anesthesia with sevoflurane.&#x0D; &#x0D; Materials and Methods: The patients undergoing general anesthesia with sevoflurane and rocuronium for abdominal surgery were included in this prospective observational study between December 2014 - May 2015. After rocuronium injection; time to reappearance of T1, T2, T3 and T4 and time to reaching TOF ratios of 0.7 and 0.9 were recorded. For detecting RNMB, TOF ratios were recorded in the postoperative care unit at 5th and 10th minutes of arrival. The correlation between glycemic control and the risk of RNMB was also evaluated via glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels.&#x0D; &#x0D; Results: A total of 82 patients (Group DM: 48 patients, Group non-DM: 34 patients) were included. The groups were comparable according to demographic data and other characteristics that can effect neuromuscular blockade. Times to reappearance of T1, T2, T3, T4 and to reaching a TOF ratio of 0.9 were significantly longer in Group DM. Although there was no difference between the TOF ratios at the arrival to the postoperative care unit, TOF ratios of Group DM were significantly lower at 5th and 10th minutes at postoperative care unit. Poor glycaemic control was found not to affect the risk of RNMB.&#x0D; &#x0D; Conclusion: Even in the absence of known neurologic complications; the neuromuscular blockade effect of rocuronium is longer and the risk of RNMB is higher in type-II diabetic patients irrespective of the degree of glycaemic control.&#x0D; &#x0D; Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus, Rocuronium, Residual Neuromuscular Blockade&#x0D;

Postoperative complications with neuromuscular blocking drugs and/or reversal agents in obstructive sleep apnea patients: a systematic review

BackgroundNeuromuscular blocking drugs (NMBD) are administered intra-operatively to facilitate intubation and to achieve muscle relaxation for surgical procedures. Incomplete reversal of NMBD can lead to adverse events in the postoperative period. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may be at higher risk of complications related to the use of NMBD. The objectives of this systematic review were to determine whether: 1) OSA patients are at higher risk of postoperative complications from the use of NMBD than non-OSA patients, and 2) the choice of NMBD reversal agent affects the risk of postoperative complications in OSA patients.MethodsA literature search of multiple databases was conducted up to April 2017. The inclusion criteria were: (1) adult surgical patients (≥18 years old) with OSA diagnosed by polysomnography, or history, or suspected by screening questionnaire; (2) patients who were given NMBD and/or NMBD reversal agents intraoperatively; (3) reports on postoperative adverse events, particularly respiratory events were available; (4) published studies were in English; and (5) RCTs or observational cohort studies. The quality of evidence was determined by the Oxford Center for Evidence Based Medicine levels of evidence.ResultsOut of 4123 studies, five studies (2 RCTs and 3 observational studies) including 1126 patients were deemed eligible. These studies were heterogeneous precluding a meta-analysis of the results. Two of three studies (1 RCT, 2 observational studies) reported that OSA patients given NMBD may be at higher risk of developing postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) like hypoxemia, residual neuromuscular blockade or respiratory failure compared to non-OSA patients. Two studies (1 RCT, 1 observational study) reported that OSA patients who were reversed with sugammadex vs. neostigmine had less PPCs and chest radiographic changes, but the quality of the included studies was Oxford level of evidence: low to moderate.ConclusionsOSA patients who receive intraoperative NMBD may be at higher risk for postoperative hypoxemia, respiratory failure and residual neuromuscular blockade compared to non-OSA patients. There is some, albeit very limited evidence that NMBD reversal with sugammadex may be associated with less PPCs than neostigmine in patients with OSA. More high-quality studies are needed.

Quantitative Relationships between Pulmonary Function and Residual Neuromuscular Blockade.

Background Neuromuscular blockade is a risk factor for postoperative respiratory weakness during the immediate postoperative period. The quantitative relationships between postoperative pulmonary-function impairment and residual neuromuscular blockade are unknown. Methods 113 patients who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were enrolled in this study. They all had a pulmonary-function test (PFT) during the preoperative evaluation. Predictive values based on demographic data were also recorded. The train-of-four ratio (TOFR) was recorded at the same time as the PFT and at every 5 minutes in the qualified 98 patients in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). We analyzed the degree of PFT recovery when the TOFR had recovered to different degrees. Results There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) between the preoperative baseline value and the postoperative forced vital capacity at each TOFR point, except at a TOFR value of 1.1. There was also a significant difference (P < 0.05) between the preoperative baseline value and the postoperative peak expiratory flow at each TOFR point. Conclusions Postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade was common (75.51%) after tracheal extubation, and pulmonary function could not recover to an acceptable level (85% of baseline value), even if TOFR had recovered to 0.90. Trial Registration Chinese Clinical Trial Register is ChiCTR-OOC-15005838.

Profile of sugammadex for reversal of neuromuscular blockade in the elderly: current perspectives.

The number of elderly patients is increasing worldwide. This will have a significant impact on the practice of anesthesia in future decades. Anesthesiologists must provide care for an increasing number of elderly patients, who have an elevated risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality. Complications related to postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade, such as muscle weakness, airway obstruction, hypoxemia, atelectasis, pneumonia, and acute respiratory failure, are more frequent in older than in younger patients. Therefore, neuromuscular blockade in the elderly should be carefully monitored and completely reversed before awakening patients at the end of anesthesia. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are traditionally used for reversal of neuromuscular blockade. Although the risk of residual neuromuscular blockade is reduced by reversal with neostigmine, it continues to complicate the postoperative course. Sugammadex represents an innovative approach to reversal of neuromuscular blockade induced by aminosteroid neuromuscular-blocking agents, particularly rocuronium, with useful applications in clinical practice. However, aging is associated with certain changes in the pharmacokinetics of sugammadex, and to date there has been no thorough evaluation of the use of sugammadex in elderly patients. The aim of this review was to perform an analysis of the use of sugammadex in older adults based on the current literature. Major issues surrounding the physiologic and pharmacologic effects of aging in elderly patients and how these may impact the routine use of sugammadex in elderly patients are discussed.

Residual Neuromuscular Blockade and Perioperative Outcomes in the Elderly

The aim of this review is to assess clinical investigations which have examined the use of NMBAs in the elderly, and to recommend neuromuscular management strategies that may optimize recovery in this patient population. A number of clinical studies have assessed the effect of age on NMBA duration. Recovery from cisatracurium has been compared to steroid-based NMBAs (rocuronium and vecuronium) in the elderly. Variability in the duration of action was significantly greater with the steroid-based drugs than cisatracurium. Other studies have demonstrated that the elderly not only demonstrate prolonged recovery from rocuronium and vecuronium neuromuscular blockade, but also significantly more variability in the times to achieve full neuromuscular recovery. Furthermore, reversal of neuromuscular blockade with anticholinesterase agents may require significantly more time in patients older than 70 years of age. Recent clinical trials have demonstrated the elderly are at significantly increased risk for postoperative residual block. Furthermore, older patients not achieving a train-of-four ratio of greater than 0.9 at the time of tracheal extubation are at an increased risk of hypoxemic events, airway obstruction, and unpleasant signs and symptoms of muscle weakness. Reversal of neuromuscular blockade with sugammadex results in a low incidence of residual block; however, the times to achieve a train-of-four ratio of 0.9 are increased in patients over the age of 70. The pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetic effects of neuromuscular blocking agents are altered in the elderly. When steroid-based muscle relaxants are administered, the time required to achieve full neuromuscular recovery is increased, and significantly more variability in recovery times is observed. Patients over the age of 65 years are at an increased risk of postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade and complications related to incomplete neuromuscular recovery. Increased vigilance in managing dosing, monitoring, and reversal is required in the elderly in order to improve perioperative outcomes.