The Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Sugammadex and Neostigmine in Reversing Neuromuscular Blockade After General Anesthesia: A Prospective Randomized Control Study

Along with unconsciousness and analgesia, use a muscle relaxant (Neuromuscular blocking agent NMBA) is now part of the classic triad of anesthesia. In surgery or interventional procedure under general anesthesia, NMBA is needed to relax the muscles of the whole body. Its purpose is to assist the placement of the endotracheal tube, avoid the participant's injury due to involuntary movements, and also enables the surgeon to have a better surgical vision, etc. Once the operation or procedure is completed, anesthesiologist will reverse the NMBA and participants are recovered from general anesthesia. It is crucial to maintain hemodynamic stability during this period. The participant's vital signs are unstable during this period because the participant is gradually recovered from anesthesia and they feel throat discomfort from endotracheal tube. Immediate extubation is encouraged in the operating theatre and full recovery of neuromuscular function must be achieved prior to extubation of the endotrachea tube.

Traditionally, acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEI, such as neostigmine, pyridostigmine, edrophonium) is used to reverse the efficacy of NMBA and stabilize the participants's vital signs. However, the reversal of acetylcholine ester inhibitors is slow, the curative effect has a ceiling effect, and the need to use anticholinergics (anticholinergics) to reduce the incidence of adverse reactions and other issues. In addition, traditional muscle relaxants may also cause complications, such as postoperative residual curarization (PORC). PORC is associated with weakness of upper airway muscles and increased risk of hypoventilation and hypoxemia, as well as risk for aspiration and postoperative pulmonary complications.

Sugammadex is a new selective relaxant-binding agent that quickly and effectively reverses the effects of steroidal NMBAs, especially rocuronium and vecuronium. Compared with neostigmine, sugammadex more substantially reduces PORC, but its effects on postoperative complications require further investigation. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effects of sugammadex and neostigmine during emergence and extubation after general anesthesia in non-cardiac surgery and interventional procedure.