Cortisol secretory patterns in deep and moderate neuromuscular blockades in laparoscopic surgery under total intravenous anesthesia: A prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Neuroendocrine stress response induces physiological changes depending on the type of surgery and anesthesia. Although the optimal depth of neuromuscular blockade for reducing this response remains unknown, deep neuromuscular blockade is known to improve the surgical environment. Therefore, we hypothesized that a patient's stress response would be lower in surgical procedures under deep neuromuscular blockade than under moderate neuromuscular blockade. METHODS: This prospective, randomized, single-blind study enrolled 72 patients who underwent laparoscopic gynecological surgery under general anesthesia and were assigned to group D (deep blockade: target train-of-four 0 and posttetanic count ≥ 1) or group M (moderate blockade: target train-of-four count 1-3). The primary endpoints were changing patterns in cortisol and adrenocorticotrophic hormone levels; the secondary endpoints were patient outcomes, such as hemodynamic variables, serum glucose level, postoperative pain in the postanesthesia care unit, and hospital stay. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics were comparable between the 67 patients included in the 2 groups (34 in group M and 33 in group D). Cortisol and adrenocorticotrophic hormone levels increased perioperatively in both groups but without significant intergroup differences. Serum glucose level increased perioperatively and decreased postoperatively, but without a significant intergroup difference. Postoperative pain, fentanyl requirement in the postanesthesia care unit, and hospital stay were also comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with moderate neuromuscular blockade, deep neuromuscular blockade improved the surgical environment without significant intergroup differences in the hormonal stress response.

Comparison of sugammadex and pyridostigmine bromide for reversal of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade in short-term pediatric surgery: A prospective randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Sugammadex reverses rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade quickly and effectively. This study compared efficacy of sugammadex and pyridostigmine for reversal of rocuronium-induced light block or minimal block in children scheduled for elective entropion surgery. METHODS: A prospective randomized study was conducted on 60 pediatric patients aged 1 to 11 years and scheduled for entropion surgery under sevoflurane anesthesia. Neuromuscular blockade was achieved by administration of 0.6 mg/kg rocuronium and assessed using train-of-four (TOF) ulnar nerve stimulation. Patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups receiving sugammadex 2 mg/kg or pyridostigmine 0.2 mg/kg plus glycopyrrolate 0.01 mg/kg. Primary outcomes were time from reversal agents administration to TOF ratio 0.9 and time from reversal agent administration to TOF ratio 1.0. Time from TOF ratio 0.9 to extubation, time from TOF ratio 1.0 to extubation, and postoperative adverse events were also recorded. RESULTS: There were no substantial differences in demographic variables. Time from reversal agents administration to TOF ratio 0.9 and time from reversal agents to TOF ratio 1.0 were significantly faster in sugammadex group: 1.30 ±â€Š0.84 versus 3.53 ±â€Š2.73 minutes (P < .001) and 2.75 ±â€Š1.00 versus 5.73 ±â€Š2.83 minutes (P < .001). Extubation time was shorter in sugammadex group. Incidence of skin rash, nausea, vomiting, and postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade (airway obstruction) was not statistically different between groups. Incidence of patients agitation in recovery room was lower in sugammadex group. CONCLUSION: Sugammadex provided more rapid reversal of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade in pediatric patients undergoing surgery lasting 30 to 60 minutes than did pyridostigmine plus glycopyrrolate, with no differences in incidence of adverse events between groups.

Neuromuscular blockade reversal with sugammadex versus pyridostigmine/glycopyrrolate in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized trial of effects on postoperative gastrointestinal motility.

BACKGROUND: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (e.g., pyridostigmine bromide) are used for neuromuscular blockade (NMB) reversal in patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia (GA). Concurrent use of anticholinergic agents (e.g., glycopyrrolate) decreases cholinergic side effects but can impede bowel movements. Sugammadex has no cholinergic effects; its use modifies recovery of gastrointestinal (GI) motility following laparoscopic cholecystectomy compared to pyridostigmine/glycopyrrolate. This study evaluated the contribution of sugammadex to the recovery of GI motility compared with pyridostigmine and glycopyrrolate. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients were randomly allocated to the experimental group (sugammadex, Group S) or control group (pyridostigmine-glycopyrrolate, Group P). After anesthesia (propofol and rocuronium, and 2% sevoflurane), recovery was induced by injection of sugammadex or a pyridostigmine-glycopyrrolate mixture. As a primary outcome, patients recorded the time of their first passage of flatus ('gas-out time') and defecation. The secondary outcome was stool types. RESULTS: One-hundred and two patients participated (Group S, 49; Group P, 53). Mean time from injection of NMB reversal agents to gas-out time was 15.03 (6.36-20.25) h in Group S and 20.85 (16.34-25.86) h in Group P (P = 0.001). Inter-group differences were significant. Time until the first defecation as well as types of stools was not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Sugammadex after laparoscopic cholecystectomy under GA resulted in an earlier first postoperative passage of flatus compared with the use of a mixture of pyridostigmine and glycopyrrolate. These findings suggest that the use of sugammadex has positive effects on the recovery of GI motility.