Postoperative Airway Obstruction clinical trials

Postoperative Residual Curarisation at Arrival in the Post-anesthesia Care Unit

Several studies have documented that neuromuscular block often persists in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). Residual paralysis is associated with postoperative complications such as hypoxia, weakness, and respiratory failure. The data in the current literature on residual paralysis in the PACU were almost exclusively obtained with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors as they were the only reversal agents available prior to the introduction in clinical practice of sugammadex (Bridion®) in the European Union and in some other countries, except for the USA. Reassessment of practice in this regard is relevant, now that sugammadex (Bridion®) has become available in our country since 2009. This study is an observational/non-interventional, non-randomized study involving adult patients undergoing different types of elective surgical procedures requiring general anesthesia with neuromuscular blocking drugs (NMBDs). Administration of NMBDs and reversal agents (as well as all drugs which will be used during anesthesia) will be performed in accordance with routine anesthetic practice. The study population will comprise about 600 surgical patients. Immediately after the patients' arrival in the PACU, a study nurse will record the acceleromyographic responses of their adductor pollicis muscle as percent of the train-of-four (TOF%) on stimulation of the ulnar nerve. A TOF of 90% will be used as cut-off value to exclude residual paralysis. Pulse oximetry (SpO2) will be measured continuously throughout the PACU admission, and SpO2 values will be recorded at 1-min intervals for the first 30 min. PACU nurses caring for the patient will document the occurrence of any of the following events during the first 30 min of PACU admission: the number of episodes of hypoxemia (SpO2<90%), the lowest SpO2 observed by nursing staff, the requirement for either tactile or verbal stimulation to maintain SpO2 greater than 90%, and any clinical evidence of airway obstruction. The primary objective is to evaluate the incidence of postoperative residual curarisation at PACU arrival in patients reversed with sugammadex (Bridion®), neostigmine and in case of spontaneous recovery. The secondary objectives are to evaluate: - Oxygen saturation (SpO2) at PACU arrival - Possible episodes of SpO2 <90% in the PACU - Airway maneuvers and/or stimulation required to maintain SpO2 >90% in the PACU - Need for re-intubation.