Impact of Sugammadex Versus Neostigmine on Early Postoperative Pulmonary Function

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Sugammadex: Sugammadex is administered intravenously at a dose of 2 mg/kg for reversal of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade at the end of unilateral thoracoscopic lung segmentectomy surgery. The drug is prepared by an independent anesthesia nurse, diluted in normal saline to a total volume of 10 mL in an identical syringe to maintain blinding. Administration occurs when the patient shows signs of awakening (e.g., TOF ratio 0.4-0.9 or full awakening). This is a single-dose intervention given once at the conclusion of surgery. Associated with the Sugammadex Group (experimental arm).

Neostigmine: Neostigmine (0.03 mg/kg) combined with atropine (0.015 mg/kg) is administered intravenously for reversal of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade at the end of unilateral thoracoscopic lung segmentectomy surgery. The drugs are prepared by an independent anesthesia nurse, diluted in normal saline to a total volume of 10 mL in an identical syringe to maintain blinding. Administration occurs when the patient shows signs of awakening (e.g., TOF ratio 0.4-0.9 or full awakening). This is a single-dose intervention given once at the conclusion of surgery. Associated with the Neostigmine Group (active comparator arm).

Study summary

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.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Change in Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1) from Baseline to 1 Hour Postoperatively — Preoperative (baseline, within 7 days before surgery) and 1 hour postoperative.
  The percentage decline in FEV1 (measured using a portable spirometer) at 1 hour after unilateral thoracoscopic lung segmentectomy surgery, compared to the preoperative baseline value. FEV1 represents the volume of air exhaled in the first second of a forced expiratory maneuver. The decline is calculated as \[(preoperative FEV1 - postoperative FEV1) / preoperative FEV1\] × 100%. A smaller decline indicates better early postoperative pulmonary function recovery.

Trial sites (3)

More Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Shanghai, China trials in China