BACKGROUND: Postoperative pulmonary complications often lead to increased mortality and financial burden. Residual paralysis plays a critical role in postoperative pulmonary complications. This meta-analysis was performed to determine whether sugammadex overmatches neostigmine in reducing postoperative pulmonary complications. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Medline through Ovid, Cochrane Library, Wanfang, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Chinese BioMedical Literature Databases were searched from their inception to 24 June, 2021. Random effects models were used for all analyses. Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess the quality of RCTs, while Newcastle Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale was used to assess for the quality of cohort studies. RESULTS: Seventeen studies were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled data from cohort studies showed reversing neuromuscular blocking with sugammadex had less risk of compound postoperative pulmonary complications (relative risk [RR]: 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.60-0.89; P  = 0.002; I2  = 81%), pneumonia (RR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.48-0.86; I2  = 42%) and respiratory failure (RR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.41-0.56; I2  = 0%). However, pooled data from RCTs did not show any difference between the two groups in pneumonia (RR: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.24-1.40; I2  = 0%) and no respiratory failure was reported in the included RCTs. The difference was not found between sugammadex and neostigmine about atelectasis in pooled data from either RCTs (RR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.69-1.05; I2  = 0%) or cohort studies (RR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.87-1.18; I2  = 0%). CONCLUSION: The evidence of superiority of sugammadex was limited by the confounding factors in cohort studies and small scale of RCTs. Whether sugammadex precedes neostigmine in preventing pulmonary complications after surgery is still unknown. Well-designed RCTs with large scale are needed. REGISTRATION PROSPERO ( https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/ ); CRD 42020191575.
Humans ; Sugammadex/therapeutic use* ; Neostigmine/therapeutic use* ; Neuromuscular Blockade ; Postoperative Complications/prevention & control* ; Pneumonia ; Respiratory Insufficiency

The accelerometry(AMG) muscle relaxant monitor is the most widely used quantitative muscle relaxant monitor to assess the degree of neuromuscular at present. In this study, the ulnar nerve was stimulated by using train of four stimulation(TOF) mode of the AMG muscle relaxant monitor, and the movement of the adductor pollicis muscle was monitored. In this way, the distribution range of key parameters (acceleration peak value, response time, and TOF ratio) of the adductor pollicis muscle during the use of muscle relaxant in clinical practice is analyzed and will provide a practical basis for the development and improvement of the muscle relaxant monitor.
Electric Stimulation ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Neuromuscular Blockade ; Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents ; Ulnar Nerve/physiology*

BACKGROUND: Sugammadex is a new neuromuscular blockade reversal agent. Recently, it has been used in patients under general anesthesia. However, sugammadex could be toxic to fetuses and pediatric patients under 3 years of age. In this study, we demonstrated the safety of sugammadex in fetuses, using zebrafish larvae. Furthermore, its neurotoxicity was evaluated using neuronal cell lines.METHODS: We used SH-SY5Y cells to determine the viability of neuronal cells treated with sugammadex. Zebrafish larvae were used to determine the teratogenic effects of sugammadex.RESULTS: Sugammadex showed no adverse effects on neuronal cells and zebrafish larvae. The survival rates of neuronal cells were not different in all concentrations. In addition, the heart formation of zebrafish embryos, which were exposed to various concentrations of sugammadex, were not different.CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the feasibility of using sugammadex during pregnancy. However, further clinical studies will be required to extrapolate these results to humans.
Anesthesia, General ; Cell Line ; Embryonic Structures ; Fetus ; Heart ; Humans ; Larva ; Neuromuscular Blockade ; Neurons ; Pregnancy ; Survival Rate ; Zebrafish

OBJECTIVE: Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) requires pneumoperitoneum (Pnp) and a steep head-down position that may disturb respiratory system compliance (C_rs) during surgery. Our aim was to compare the effects of different degrees of neuromuscular block (NMB) on C_rs with the same Pnp pressure during RARP. METHODS: One hundred patients who underwent RARP were enrolled and randomly allocated to a deep or moderate NMB group with 50 patients in each group. Rocuronium was administered to both groups: in the moderate NMB group to maintain 1-2 responses to train-of-four (TOF) stimulation; and in the deep NMB group to maintain no response to TOF stimulation and 1-2 responses in the post-tetanic count. Pnp pressure in both groups was 10 mmHg (1 mmHg=133.3 Pa). Peak inspiratory pressure (P_peak), mean pressure (P_mean), C_rs, and airway resistance (R_aw) were recorded after anesthesia induction and at 0, 30, 60, and 90 min of Pnp and post-Pnp. Surgical space conditions were evaluated after the procedure on a 4-point scale. RESULTS: Immediately after the Pnp, P_peak, P_mean, and R_aw significantly increased, while C_rs decreased and persisted during Pnp in both groups. The results did not significantly differ between the two groups at any of the time points. There was no difference in surgical space conditions between groups. Body movements occurred in 14 cases in the moderate NMB group and in one case in the deep NMB group, and all occurred during obturator lymphadenectomy. A significant difference between the two groups was observed. CONCLUSIONS Under the same Pnp pressure in RARP, deep and moderate NMBs resulted in similar changes in C_rs, and in other respiratory mechanics and surgical space conditions. However, deep NMB significantly reduced body movements during surgery.
Aged ; Humans ; Laparoscopy/methods* ; Lung Compliance/physiology* ; Male ; Neuromuscular Blockade ; Prostatectomy/methods* ; Respiratory Mechanics ; Robotic Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Rocuronium/pharmacology*

Sugammadex provides fast and safe recovery from neuromuscular blockade without causing major adverse effects, and its clinical use is increasing. However, there are some reports on the potential risks of sugammadex, such as severe bradycardia, interactions with steroids, coagulopathy, and neuronal damage. Although these potential risks are not clearly proven, they are considered to be dose-dependent and occur more frequently with the free-form of sugammadex. Until further pieces of evidence are accumulated, it is prudent to be aware of these potential risks and avoid an overdose of sugammadex.
Blood Coagulation Disorders ; Bradycardia ; Drug Interactions ; Neuromuscular Blockade ; Neurons ; Neurotoxicity Syndromes ; Steroids

BACKGROUND: New complications associated with sugammadex have been increased since its widespread use. We report a case of an 80-year-old male who experienced profound bradycardia and sustained hypotension after administration of sugammadex. CASE: Following administration of 200 mg sugammadex after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, sudden bradycardia (29 beats/min) developed for 10 seconds and his train-of-four (TOF) ratio remained at 0.2 for 5 min. An additional 200 mg sugammadex was administered and profound bradycardia (21–30 beats/min) and hypotension (60/40 mmHg) developed. Atropine at 0.5 mg was administered, but the effect lasted only 30 s. Profound bradycardia occurred four more times at 30 s intervals, and ephedrine and phenylephrine were injected intermittently to increase the patient's heart rate and blood pressure. The TOF ratio became 0.9 about 10 min after administration of additional sugammadex. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness must be heightened regarding the possibility of sugammadexinduced bradycardia and hypotension, and more attention should be paid to patients with slow recovery times following muscle relaxation, despite the use of sugammadex.
Aged, 80 and over ; Atropine ; Blood Pressure ; Bradycardia ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Ephedrine ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Male ; Muscle Relaxation ; Neuromuscular Blockade ; Phenylephrine ; Postoperative Complications

BACKGROUND: The reversal of a neuromuscular blockade has typically been achieved with a cholinesterase inhibitor and the concomitant use of an anticholinergic agent, and this remains a popular method. Since the introduction of sugammadex in the market, its use has been increasing because of the rapid recovery from a neuromuscular blockade achieved by rocuronium. The occurrence of anaphylaxis or an anaphylactic reaction resulting from sugammadex is rare and has been reported sparsely. Thus, one may not recognize the possibility of sugammadex-induced hypersensitivity when sudden life-threatening hypotension occurs, especially without skin manifestations during the emergence of anesthesia. This may delay treatment and increase morbidity. CASE: We report a case of a sugammadex-related hypersensitivity reaction which manifested as pure cardiovascular collapse during the emergence of anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: We emphasize that vigilance should be paid for at least five minutes following sugammadex administration in daily clinical practice.
Anaphylaxis ; Anesthesia ; Cholinesterases ; Hypersensitivity ; Hypotension ; Methods ; Neuromuscular Blockade ; Skin Manifestations

BACKGROUND: Sugammadex reverses rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade quickly and effectively. Herein, we compared the efficacy of sugammadex and pyridostigmine in the reversal of rocuronium-induced light block or minimal block in pediatric patients scheduled for elective entropion surgery. METHODS: A prospective randomized study was conducted in 60 pediatric patients aged 2–11 years who were scheduled for entropion surgery under sevoflurane anesthesia. Neuromuscular blockade was achieved by administration of 0.6 mg/kg rocuronium and assessed using the train-of-four (TOF) technique. Patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups receiving either sugammadex 2 mg/kg or pyridostigmine 0.2 mg/kg and glycopyrrolate 0.01 mg/kg at the end of surgery. Primary outcomes were time from administration of reversal agents to TOF ratio 0.9 and TOF ratio 1.0. Time from the administration of reversal agents to extubation and postoperative adverse events were also recorded. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the demographic variables. Time from the administration of reversal agents to TOF ratio 0.9 and TOF ratio 1.0 were significantly shorter in the sugammadex group than in the pyridostigmine plus glycopyrrolate group: 1.30 ± 0.84 vs. 3.53 ± 2.73 min (P < 0.001) and 2.75 ± 1.00 vs. 5.73 ± 2.83 min (P < 0.001), respectively. Extubation time was shorter in the sugammadex group. Adverse events, such as skin rash, nausea, vomiting, and postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade (airway obstruction), were not statistically different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Sugammadex provided more rapid reversal of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade in pediatric patients undergoing surgery than did pyridostigmine plus glycopyrrolate.
Anesthesia ; Delayed Emergence from Anesthesia ; Entropion ; Exanthema ; Glycopyrrolate ; Humans ; Nausea ; Neuromuscular Blockade ; Neuromuscular Monitoring ; Pediatrics ; Prospective Studies ; Pyridostigmine Bromide ; Vomiting

PURPOSE: The use of nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) may affect intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) during anesthesia used during thyroid and parathyroid surgery. METHODS: The use of sugammadex was evaluated in a prospective clinical study during thyroid surgery. Between July 2018 and January 2019, 129 patients were prospectively randomized to either the sugammadex group (group B) or the control group (group A). Group A patients underwent standardized IONM during thyroidectomy, while group B patients used an NMBA-reversal protocol comprised of rocuronium (0.6 mg/kg) in anesthesia induction and sugammadex (2 mg/kg) after first vagal stimulation (V0). A peripheral nerve stimulator was used to monitor the neuromuscular transmission. RESULTS: In our clinical study, it took 26.07 ± 3.26 and 50.0 ± 8.46 minutes to reach 100% recovery of laryngeal electromyography at injection of the sugammadex group (2 mg/kg) and the control group, respectively (P < 0.001). The train-of-four ratio recovered from 0 to >0.9 within 4 minutes after administering 2 mg/kg of sugammadex at the beginning of resection. Surgery time was significantly shorter in group B than in group A (P < 0.001). Transient recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) paralysis was detected in 4 patients from group A and in 3 patients from group B (P = 0.681). There was no permanent RLN paralysis in the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Our clinical study showed that sugammadex effectively and rapidly improved the inhibition of neuromuscular function induced by rocuronium. The implementation of the nondepolarizing neuromuscular block recovery protocol may lead to tracheal intubation as well as favorable conditions for IONM in thyroid surgery.
Anesthesia ; Clinical Study ; Electromyography ; Humans ; Intubation ; Neuromuscular Blockade ; Neuromuscular Blocking Agents ; Paralysis ; Peripheral Nerves ; Prospective Studies ; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroidectomy

BACKGROUND: The facilitator effects of steroids on neuromuscular transmission may cause resistance to neuromuscular blocking agents. Additionally, steroids may hinder sugammadex reversal of neuromuscular blockade, but these findings remain controversial. Therefore, we explored the effect of dexamethasone and hydrocortisone on rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade and their inhibitory effect on sugammadex. METHODS: We explored the effects of steroids, dexamethasone and hydrocortisone, in vitro using a phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm rat model. In the first phase, an effective dose of rocuronium was calculated, and in the second phase, following sugammadex administration, the recovery of the train-of-four (TOF) ratio and T1 was evaluated for 30 minutes, and the recovery index was calculated in dexamethasone 0, 0.5, 5, and 50 μg/ml, or hydrocortisone 0, 1, 10, or 100 μg/ml. RESULTS: No significant effect of steroids on the effective dose of rocuronium was observed. The TOF ratios at 30 minutes after sugammadex administration were decreased significantly only at high experimental concentrations of steroids: dexamethasone 50 μg/ml and hydrocortisone 100 μg/ml (P < 0.001 and P = 0.042, respectively). There were no statistical significances in other concentrations. No differences were observed in T1. Recovery index was significantly different only in 100 μg/ml of hydrocortisone (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Acute exposure to steroids did not resist the neuromuscular blockade caused by rocuronium. And inhibition of sugammadex reversal on rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade is unlikely at typical clinical doses of dexamethasone and also hydrocortisone. Conclusively, we can expect proper effects of rocuronium and sugammadex when dexamethasone or hydrocortisone is used during general anesthesia.
Anesthesia, General ; Animals ; Dexamethasone ; Hydrocortisone ; In Vitro Techniques ; Models, Animal ; Neuromuscular Blockade ; Neuromuscular Blocking Agents ; Neuromuscular Monitoring ; Rats ; Steroids