Clinical Research Directory

Impact of Sugammadex Versus Neostigmine on Early Postoperative Pulmonary Function

Residual neuromuscular blockade (NMB) after general anesthesia increases the risk of postoperative respiratory complications (atelectasis, pneumonia, re-intubation) and delays pulmonary function recovery. Sugammadex, a γ-cyclodextrin that directly encapsulates rocuronium, reverses NMB rapidly and completely without cholinergic side effects, whereas neostigmine requires co-administration of an antimuscarinic and may leave residual blockade. In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, 240 adult patients (ASA I-III) undergoing elective thoracoscopic lung resection (≤ 1 segment) will be randomized 1:1 to receive sugammadex (2 mg/kg) or neostigmine (0.03 mg/kg) + atropine (0.015 mg/kg) at the end of surgery. The primary endpoint is the percent decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) at 1 hour post-extubation compared to preoperative baseline; a ≥ 5% improvement with sugammadex is hypothesized. Secondary endpoints include FEV₁ at days 1-3, pain scores, opioid consumption, gastrointestinal recovery, quality of recovery (QoR-15), neuromuscular monitoring (TOF ratio), and incidence of postoperative pulmonary and surgical complications.

Reversal of Pipecuronium-induced Neuromuscular Blockade With Sugammadex During Propofol Anesthesia

Safety during modern practice of anaesthesia is of great concern. Patients admitted daily for surgical procedures undergoing general anaesthesia for different types of operations are exposed to different risks, starting from the anaesthesia and ending with the surgical intervention. Aim of the study is to provide a comprehensive and evidence based data regarding the safety of the neuromuscular blocking agents used in modern anaesthesia practice, precisely Rocuronium and Pipecuronium, as well as the reversal agents such as Sugammadex, which is the sole agent in use in practice nowadays. A routine anaesthetic practice will be performed during the whole period of our study after strict patient selection criteria. Intraoperative standard monitoring as per local and international guidelines will be applied, this includes Spo2, ECG, NIBP/IBP, etCO2, BIS and Tetragaph for neuromuscular blockade monitoring. After induction of anaesthesia and prior to the administration of the muscle relaxant agent, a TOFC (Train of Four Count) will be registered as the starting point. Throughout the anaesthetic time, there will be continuous TOF monitoring. The anaesthesia will be maintained by sevoflurane. Also, the recruited samples will be divided according to the neuromuscular blockade agents administered, either Rocuronium or Pipecuronium. At the end of the surgical procedure, the time lapse between the administration of the reversal agent Sugammadex and a TOF ratio of 0.9 is registered as our primary end point. TOF measures will be performed in the postoperative period, to make sure there is no residual neuromuscular blockade in the early postoperative phase. The study will not only monitor the safety of the neuromuscular blocking agents in use, but will also monitor any signs of anaphylaxis due to their administration both intra and postoperatively.

Measuring of the Duration of Action of Different Doses of Rocuronium-induced Neuromuscular Block in Infants During Surgical Treatment of Craniosynostosis

The use of intravenous muscle relaxants during anaesthesia can significantly facilitate endotracheal intubation and reduce the chance of possible airway complications during intubation. Overall, muscle relaxants make anaesthesia safer. Quantitative measurement of neuromuscular block is essential when anaesthesiologists use muscle relaxants. It allows to avoid postoperative residual block complications such as upper airway obstruction, hypoxia, pharyngeal dysfunction, aspiration. Unfortunately, quantitative monitoring of neuromuscular block is not routinely used in everyday practice - and this is particularly true in the infant and child population. In adults, the relative absence of easy-to-use and reliable monitors has led to the neglect of neuromuscular monitoring. One of the monitoring techniques suitable for this purpose is electromyography. This EMG-based instrument (TetraGraph ® ) measures the action potential of the musculus adductor pollicis or the musculus abductor digiti minimi muscles. Clinical trials have shown that for quantitative monitoring of the effect of muscle relaxants, extubation is safe if the TOF ratio is 0.9. Some studies have shown that TOF ratio of 0.95 is necessary to reduce the risk of postoperative respiratory complications. In this study, investigators will use an EMG-based neuromuscular monitor, the TetraGraph ®, and an electrode specially designed for the infant and child population to measure the muscle relaxant (rocuronium) effect of infants undergoing decompressive surgery for craniosynostosis, from the time of induction until the TOF ratio of 0.9 is reached, using inhaled anaesthetic or intravenous agent to maintain anaesthesia. In adult population it has been clearly demonstrated that inhaled anaesthetics potentiate the effect of muscle relaxants during maintenance anaesthesia, whereas this effect is moderate or negligible when intravenous maintenance agents are used. There is limited literature on the efficacy of rocuronium in the infant population when anaesthesia is maintained with sevoflurane or propofol. The aim of present study is to improve postoperative patient safety in the infant population. Infants undergoing anaesthesia for elective craniosynostosis surgery are included in the study. The surgical preparation, anaesthesia of the patients, will be carried out in all aspects according to the daily routine, i.e.: All infants will receive 0.1 mg/kg midazolam i.v. for pre-medication. In the operating theatre, a peripheral vein is provided. Precordial ECG, pulse oximetry, blood pressure measurement, end-expiratory CO 2 , end-expiratory oxygen measurement will be performed during the surgery.

Reversal of Pipecuronium-induced Neuromuscular Blockade With Sugammadex During Sevoflurane Anesthesia

Safety during modern practice of anaesthesia is of great concern. Patients admitted daily for surgical procedures undergoing general anaesthesia for different types of operations are exposed to different risks, starting from the anaesthesia and ending with the surgical intervention. Aim of the study is to provide a comprehensive and evidence based data regarding the safety of the neuromuscular blocking agents used in modern anaesthesia practice, precisely Rocuronium and Pipecuronium, as well as the reversal agents such as Sugammadex, which is the sole agent in use in practice nowadays. A routine anaesthetic practice will be performed during the whole period of our study after strict patient selection criteria. Intraoperative standard monitoring as per local and international guidelines will be applied, this includes Spo2, ECG, NIBP/IBP, etCO2, BIS and Tetragaph for neuromuscular blockade monitoring. After induction of anaesthesia and prior to the administration of the muscle relaxant agent, a TOFC (Train of Four Count) will be registered as the starting point. Throughout the anaesthetic time, there will be continuous TOF monitoring. The anaesthesia will be maintained by sevoflurane. Also, the recruited samples will be divided according to the neuromuscular blockade agents administered, either Rocuronium or Pipecuronium. At the end of the surgical procedure, the time lapse between the administration of the reversal agent Sugammadex and a TOF ratio of 0.9 is registered as our primary end point. TOF measures will be performed in the postoperative period, to make sure there is no residual neuromuscular blockade in the early postoperative phase. The study will not only monitor the safety of the neuromuscular blocking agents in use, but will also monitor any signs of anaphylaxis due to their administration both intra and postoperatively.