Peri-operative diaphragm ultrasound as a new method of recognizing post-operative residual curarization

Background This study sought to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of peri-operative diaphragm ultrasound in assessing post-operative residual curarization (PORC). Methods Patients undergoing non-thoracic and non-abdominal surgery under general anaesthesia were enrolled from July 2019 to October 2019 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital. A train-of-four ratio (TOFr) lower than 0.9 was considered as the gold standard for PORC. Diaphragm ultrasound parameters included diaphragmatic excursion (DE) and diaphragm thickening fraction (DTF) during quiet breathing (QB) and deep breathing (DB). The diaphragm excursion fraction (DEF) was calculated as the DE-QB divided by the DE-DB. The diaphragm excursion difference (DED) was defined as DE-DB minus DE-QB. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine the cut-off values of ultrasound parameters for the prediction of PORC. Results In total, 75 patients were included, with a PORC incidence of 54.6%. The DE-DB and DED were positively correlated with the TOFr, while the DEF was negatively correlated with the TOFr. The DE-DB cut-off value for predicting PORC was 3.88 cm, with a sensitivity of 85.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 70.1–93.9%), specificity of 64.7% (95% CI: 46.4–79.7%), positive likelihood ratio of 2.42 (95% CI 1.5–3.9), and negative likelihood ratio of 0.23 (95% CI: 0.1–0.5). The DED cut-off value was 1.5 cm, with a specificity of 94.2% (95% CI: 80.3–99.3%), sensitivity of 63.4% (95% CI: 46.9–77.9%), positive likelihood ratio of 10.78 (95% CI: 2.8–42.2), and negative likelihood ratio of 0.39 (95% CI: 0.3–0.6). Conclusions Peri-operative diaphragm ultrasound may be an additional method aiding the recognition of PORC, with DED having high specificity.

Comparative Study Between Neostigmine Versus Sugammadex in Obese Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Surgery

Background Complete and rapid reversal of the effects of neuromuscular blocker drugs is a primary element of safety in anaesthesia. Neuromuscular conduction that is not completely improved leads to post-operative residual curarisation and the development of complications that are related to respiration. Aim of the Work to compare between the effect of neostigmine and sugammadex on the duration of the recovery from neuromuscular blocking agents and postoperative residual curarization and respiratory complications in the obese patients undergoing laparscopic surgery. Patients and Methods We carried out this randomized clinical study on sixty four patients operated upon at General Surgery Department at Armed Forces Hospitals. Patients and Methods: In this study, 64 patients of either sex with average age ranging from 18-65 years, ASA (I,II), submitted for bariatric gastric sleeve operation were included in this study. Patients were randomly classified into 2 equal groups; Group S (sugammadex, n = 32) and group N (neostigmine, n = 32). Results: no significant differences between both groups regarding age, gender, BMI and ASA. But, we showed statistically a high significant difference between both groups regarding TOF0.9 and significant differences between both groups regarding PACU and operative room time. Conclusion This study verified the efficiency of sugammadex over neostigmine for full and timely reversal of neuromuscular blockade induced by a rocuronium, in morbidly obese patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

Comparison of neuromuscular blockade recovery co-administered with neostigmine and different doses of calcium gluconate: a randomized control trial

Background Calcium increases the probability of transmitter release at the neuromuscular junction. It is not known whether there is a dose-dependent relationship between the dosage of calcium gluconate and the probability of transmitter release for non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockade (NMB) recovery by acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AchEIs). This study compared the neuromuscular recovery time and the incidence of postoperative residual curarization (PORC) according to the dosage of calcium gluconate co-administered with neostigmine in three patient groups. Methods Patients were randomly allocated to a control group, a 5 mg/kg calcium gluconate group (calcium 5 group), or a 10 mg/kg calcium gluconate group (calcium 10 group). In patients with a TOF ratio (TOFr) between 0.2–0.7, 0.04 mg/kg of neostigmine was administered and both 0.2 mg of glycopyrrolate and 0.4 mg of atropine per 1 mg of neostigmine were administered. And additional 5 or 10 mg/kg of calcium gluconate were administrated to the calcium 5 and 10 groups. The primary endpoint was neuromuscular recovery time (the time between reversal and TOFr≥0.9). The secondary endpoints were the incidence of PORC at 5, 10, and 20 min after reversal administration and the train-of-four ratio (TOFr) at each time point. Results The neuromuscular recovery time was 5.3 min in the control group, 3.9 min in the calcium 5 group, and 4.1 min in the calcium 10 group, respectively (P = 0.004). The incidence of PORC at 5 min after neostigmine administration was 12 in the control group, 4 in the calcium 5 group, and 4 in the calcium 10 group, respectively, with statistical significance (P = 0.014). Conclusions The co-administration of calcium gluconate with neostigmine safely promoted early NMB recovery, and the neuromuscular recovery time of the calcium 10 group tended to be more evenly distributed than that of the calcium 5 group. Trial registration https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/index.jsp(KCT0004182). Date of registration: August 122,019.

Postoperative residual curarization as a complication after general anesthesia

Introduction: Postoperative residual curarization (PORC) is a common complication but rarely taken into account during the postoperative period. PORC is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality in anesthetized patients. Even small degrees of residual muscle relaxation of the transverse striated muscles can have serious clinical consequences for patients including a decline of upper respiratory tract function or swallowing disorders. Aim: The aim of the work is to discuss the problem of PORC, its risk factors and diagnosis, as well as to identify the most common errors, which can be made even by experienced anesthesiologists and can lead to an increased risk of developing this life-threatening complication. Material and methods: This work is based on the available literature and the authors’ experience. Results and discussion: PORC caused by non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents is a known problem in daily clinical practice. The effects of PORC significantly increase the risk of respiratory complications (hypoxia, pulmonary edema, atelectasis and pneumonia). Patients can report discomfort even with a small degree of residual muscle block above a train of four (TOF) ratio of 0.8. Complete recovery of neuromuscular function does not occur until the TOF ratio is greater or equal to 0.9. Conclusions: The primary strategy to avoid residual neuromuscular block and to improve the safety precautions of patients undergoing anesthesia is not by means of clinical evaluation but consistent monitoring of neuromuscular conduction and extubating the patient when the TOF ratio more than 0.9.

Comparison of Neuromuscular Blockade Recovery Co-Administered With Neostigmine and Different Doses of Calcium Gluconate: A Randomized Control Trial

Background: Calcium increases the probability of transmitter release at the neuromuscular junction. However, it is not known whether there is a dose-dependent relationship between the dosage of calcium gluconate and the probability of transmitter release for non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockade (NMB) recovery by acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AchEIs). This study compared the neuromuscular recovery time and the incidence of postoperative residual curarization (PORC) according to the dosage of calcium gluconate co-administered with neostigmine in three patient groups.Methods: Patients were randomly allocated to a control group, a 5 mg/kg calcium gluconate group (calcium 5 group), or a 10 mg/kg calcium gluconate group (calcium 10 group). The primary endpoint was neuromuscular recovery time. The secondary endpoints were the incidence of PORC at 5, 10, and 20 minutes after reversal administration and the train-of-four ratio (TOFr) at each time point.Results: The neuromuscular recovery time was 5.3 minutes in the control group, 3.9 minutes in the calcium 5 group, and 4.1 minutes in the calcium 10 group, respectively (P=0.012). Neuromuscular recovery time was significantly different between the control and calcium 10 groups (P=0.017). The incidence of PORC at 5 minutes after neostigmine administration was 12 (46.2%) in the control group, 4 (15.4%) in the calcium 5 group, and 4 (15.4%) in the calcium 10 group, respectively, with statistical significance (P=0.014). Conclusions: The co-administration of 10 mg/kg calcium gluconate with neostigmine achieved early NMB recovery and had the fewest variables.Trial Registration: https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/index.jsp(KCT0004182). Date of registration:12 august 2019.

Neuromuscular block monitoring by smartphone application (i-TOF© system): an observational pilot study

Neuromuscular block monitoring is recommended by international guidelines to improve myorelaxation during surgery and reduce the risk of postoperative residual curarization. We conducted a pilot study to verify the efficacy of i-TOF, a wireless neuromuscular monitoring device connectable to a smartphone, comparing it with TOF WATCH SX. We enrolled 53 patients who underwent general anesthesia. For each patient, we recorded by both devices, in different time intervals, train-of-four (TOF) count/ratio after induction to general anesthesia (TI0–TI3) and during recovery (TR0–TR3). Moreover, post-tetanic count (PTC) was evaluated during deep neuromuscular block (TP0–TP2). We noticed no significant differences between the devices in recorded mean values of TOF ratio, TOF count, and PTC analyzed at time intervals for every phase of general anesthesia, although the i-TOF tends to an underestimation compared to TOF WATCH SX. For each patient, data sessions were successfully recorded by a smartphone. This aspect could be relevant for clinicians in order to have a stored proof of good clinical practice to be added on anesthesiologist records. By our results, i-TOF demonstrates a comparable efficacy to TOF WATCH SX, suggesting that it could be a proven alternative to standard devices for neuromuscular block monitoring. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Sugammadex versus neostigmine in pediatric cancer patients undergoing outpatient surgical procedures

Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) are still required for the pediatric population. Residual neuromuscular block is a common complication in the early postoperative period. The objective of this study is to compare the efϑicacy of sugammadex versus neostigmine for reversing NMB in pediatric patients with cancer who undergo outpatient surgical procedures. This double-blinded study included 80 children with different oncological diagnoses, aged 2-18 years, scheduled for outpatient surgical procedures. They were randomly divided into two equal groups; Group N received neostigmine 0.03 mg/kg with atropine 0.02 mg/kg and Group S received sugammadex 2 mg/kg at the end of surgery. The patients were clinically assessed for NMB recovery and extubated. The primary outcome measure was the time from NMB reversal to recovery of the TOF ratio to 0.9% (recovery time). The secondary outcomes included the time between reversal injection and extubation (extubation time) and possible adverse events. The time to recovery of the TOF ratio to 0.9 and the time between reversal injection and extubation were signiϑicantly shorter in S Group (p< 0.001). The time to reach TOF ratio of 0.9 was not correlated with age, anesthesia time, or the dose of the neuromuscular blocker. None of the children developed respiratory depression or postoperative residual curarization. Relatively few patients developed arrhythmia, hypotension, and nausea and vomiting with no signiϑicant difference between the two groups. Sugammadex is a good alternative to neostigmine for reversal of neuromuscular block in outpatient surgical procedures in children with cancer; it safely provides faster NMB reversal and extubation time.

Reversal of Deep Effect of Rocuronium by Sugammadex or Neostigmine after Abdominal Laparoscopic Surgery: A Single Center Experience in Vietnam

BACKGROUND: Using sugammadex allows to quickly reverse deep neuromuscular blockade with rocuronium in laparoscopic surgery, which results in great benefits during and after surgery by minimizing the problem of postoperative residual curarization. AIM: The aims of this study are comparing the efficacy of reversing neuromuscular blockade between sugammadex and neostigmine and evaluating its unwanted effects after laparoscopic abdominal surgery. METHODS: Subject of this prospective clinical comparative trial was patients who underwent abdominal laparoscopic surgery at 103 Military Hospital from October 2017 to October 2018. Eighty-four patients suffering from abdominal laparoscopic surgery under deep neuromuscular blockade were enrolled and divided randomly into two groups with 42 patients in each: Group N used neostigmine for neuromuscular blockade reversal and Group S applied sugammadex. At the end of surgery, neuromuscular blockade was reversed with either sugammadex or neostigmine. RESULTS: The reversal time to achieve train-of-four ratio >0.9 in the sugammadex group was 2.42 ± 0.58 min, which was shorter than in the neostigmine group (11.83 ± 2.19 min) (p < 0.05). The time until extubation in the sugammadex group was 3.69 ± 0.67 min, which was shorter than in the neostigmine group 11.90 ± 2.22 min (p < 0.05). Reversal with sugammadex resulted in statistical significance of less sputum production (0% vs. 11.9%), dry mouth (0% vs. 28.57%), headache (2.38% vs. 7.14%), and nausea (4.76% vs. 14.28%) compared with neostigmine. However, 26.19% of patients in the neostigmine group presented bradycardia, whereas the concurrent administration of atropine in the neostigmine group resulted in increased heart rate. CONCLUSION: Sugammadex reversed neuromuscular blockade more rapidly and effectively than neostigmine in abdominal laparoscopic surgeries. The unwanted effects of sugammadex group were fewer than neostigmine group.