Efficacy of profound versus moderate neuromuscular blockade in enhancing postoperative recovery after laparoscopic donor nephrectomy: A randomised controlled trial

Impact of low-pressure pneumoperitoneum and deep neuromuscular blockade on surgeon satisfaction and patient outcomes in laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients: A prospective randomised controlled study

INTRODUCTION

The impact of laparoscopic surgery on homeostatic systems necessitates careful consideration of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) management. This study investigated the effects of low-pressure pneumoperitoneum with deep neuromuscular blockade (NMB) on surgeon satisfaction, haemodynamics and post-operative outcomes in laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study design involves prospective randomised control. Ninety patients were assigned to low (7-10 mmHg, n = 45) or normal (12-16 mmHg, n = 45) IAP groups. Deep NMB, guided by train-of-four monitoring, was administered. This study evaluated surgical rating scale scores, haemodynamics and post-operative outcomes through a literature review. A computer programme (IBM, SPSS) was used for statistical analysis. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to analyse patients' IAP levels, additional NMB requirements, surgical rating scale scores and numerical rating scales. Patient demographics and other intraoperative and post-operative variables were analysed with Student's t-test and the Mann-Whitney U test. Values of P < 0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance.

RESULTS

No significant demographic differences were observed. The low-pressure group exhibited lower post-operative pain (P < 0.01) and reduced analgesia requirements (P = 0.00). On analysis of the surgeon rating scale, no disparities were evident between the groups. NMB usage correlated with height and weight (P < 0.01). Heart rate showed no intergroup differences. The MAP measured after 15 min was lower in Group L, and the difference was significant (P = 0.023). The SAP measured after 30 min was lower in Group L, and the difference was significant (P = 0.017). Blood gas values and surgical field visibility were unaffected by the IAP. The positive correlations between NMB, height and weight aligned with previous research.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights successful laparoscopic cholecystectomy under low IAP, deep NMB and favourable post-operative outcomes. Despite these limitations, the findings contribute to optimising laparoscopic surgical approaches.

A Practical Dosing Algorithm for Deep Neuromuscular Blockade during Total Intravenous Anesthesia: ROCURITHM

BACKGROUND

The number of trials investigating the effects of deep neuromuscular blockade (NMB) on surgical conditions and patient outcomes is steadily increasing. Consensus on which surgical procedures benefit from deep NMB (a posttetanic count [PTC] of 1 to 2) and how to implement it has not been reached. The European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care does not advise routine application but recommends use of deep NMB to improve surgical conditions on indication. This study investigates the optimal dosing strategy to reach and maintain adequate deep NMB during total intravenous anesthesia.

METHODS

Data from three trials investigating deep NMB during laparoscopic surgery with total intravenous anesthesia (n = 424) were pooled to analyze the required rocuronium dose, when to start continuous infusion, and how to adjust. The resulting algorithm was validated (n = 32) and compared to the success rate in ongoing studies in which the algorithm was not used (n = 180).

RESULTS

The mean rocuronium dose based on actual bodyweight for PTC 1 to 2 was (mean ± SD) 1.0 ± 0.27 mg · kg-1 ·h-1 in the trials, in which mean duration of surgery was 116 min. An induction dose of 0.6 mg ·kg-1 led to a PTC of 1 to 5 in a quarter of patients after a mean of 11 min. The remaining patients were equally divided over too shallow (additional bolus and direct start of continuous infusion) or too deep; a 15-min wait after PTC of 0 for return of PTC to 1 or higher. Using the proposed algorithm, a mean 76% of all 5-min measurements throughout surgery were on target PTC 1 to 2 in the validation cohort. The algorithm performed significantly better than anesthesiology residents without the algorithm, even after a learning curve from 0 to 20 patients (42% on target, P ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.4 [95% CI, 0.9 to 1.8]) to 81 to 100 patients (61% on target, P ≤ 0.05, Cohen's d = 0.7 [95% CI, 0.1 to 1.2]).

CONCLUSIONS

This study proposes a dosing algorithm for deep NMB with rocuronium in patients receiving total intravenous anesthesia.

EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE

Effects of a single dose of rocuronium in patients with different body fat percentages: A randomised controlled trial

The pharmacodynamics in patients with high body fat percentage might be similar to those in obese patients. This randomised controlled clinical trial observed the effects of rocuronium in patients with different percent body fats (PBFs). Fifty-four patients who underwent elective urological or pelvic surgery under general anaesthesia at Shanghai General Hospital were included in the present study; 51 patients were included for data analysis. Patients with normal PBF (<25%) were given a single dose of rocuronium calculated based on total body weight (N-TBW, control group). Patients with a higher PBF (≥25%) were given a single dose of rocuronium calculated based on total body weight (H-TBW). Patients with higher PBF and rocuronium were dosed based on fat-free mass (H-FFM). A train of four (TOF)-Watch acceleromyography monitor was used to measure the effects of the rocuronium. H-TBW (91.9 ± 28.8 s) had significantly shorter onset time than N-TBW and H-FFM (p = 0.003). H-TBW had significantly longer clinical duration time and pharmacological duration time than the other groups (p = 0.000 and 0.000, respectively); the TOF ratio0.25-0.9 time was significantly different among the three groups (p = 0.005). There were no significant differences in the recovery time (p = 0.103) or recovery index (p = 0.159) among the three groups. The effects of rocuronium dosed based on FFM in patients with high PBFs are similar to those in normal patients. A single dose of rocuronium calculated based on TBW might shorten the onset time, prolong the clinical and pharmacological duration times, and prolong the recovery time.

The Effect of Epidural Analgesia on Quality of Recovery (QoR) after Open Radical Nephrectomy: Randomized, Prospective, and Controlled Trial

No studies are currently evaluating the quality of recovery (QoR) after open radical nephrectomy (ORN) and epidural morphine analgesia. This was a randomized, prospective, and controlled study that explored the QoR on the first postoperative day after ORN. Eighty subjects were randomized into two groups. The first group received general anesthesia combined with epidural anesthesia and postoperative epidural analgesia with morphine and ropivacaine. The second group received general anesthesia and continuous postoperative intravenous analgesia with tramadol. Both groups received multimodal analgesia with metamizole. The primary outcome measure was the total QoR-40 score. The secondary outcome measures were QoR-15, QoR-VAS, and the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, anxiety, and nausea. The median difference in the QoR-40 score after 24 postoperative hours between the two groups of patients was 10 (95% CI: 15 to 5), p < 0.0001. The median score and IQR of QoR-40 during the first 24 postoperative hours in the epidural group was 180 (9.5), and in the control group, it was 170 (13). The general independence test for secondary outcomes between groups was significant (p < 0.01). QoR-VAS was correlated with QoR-40 (r = 0.63, p ≤ 0.001) and with QoR-15 (r = 0.54, p ≤ 0.001). The total QoR-40 and QoR-15 alpha coefficients with a 95% CI were 0.88 (0.85-0.92) and 0.73 (0.64-0.81), respectively. There was a significant difference in the QoR between the epidural and the control groups after ORN. The QoR-40 and QoR-15 showed good convergent validity and reliability.

Deep neuromuscular blockade in adults undergoing an abdominal laparoscopic procedure

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic surgery is the preferred option for many procedures. To properly perform laparoscopic surgery, it is essential that sudden movements and abdominal contractions in patients are prevented, as it limits the surgeon's view. There has been a growing interest in the potential beneficial effect of deep neuromuscular blockade (NMB) in laparoscopic surgery. Deep NMB improves the surgical field by preventing abdominal contractions, and it is thought to decrease postoperative pain. However, it is uncertain if deep NMB improves intraoperative safety and thereby improves clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the benefits and harms of deep neuromuscular blockade versus no, shallow, or moderate neuromuscular blockade during laparoscopic intra- or transperitoneal procedures in adults.

SEARCH METHODS

We used standard, extensive Cochrane search methods. The latest search date was 31 July 2023.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised clinical trials (irrespective of language, blinding, or publication status) in adults undergoing laparoscopic intra- or transperitoneal procedures comparing deep NMB to moderate, shallow, or no NMB. We excluded trials that did not report any of the primary or secondary outcomes of our review.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard Cochrane methods. Our primary outcomes were 1. all-cause mortality, 2. health-related quality of life, and 3. proportion of participants with serious adverse events. Our secondary outcomes were 4. proportion of participants with non-serious adverse events, 5. readmissions within three months, 6. short-term pain scores, 7. measurements of postoperative recovery, and 8. operating time. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of evidence for each outcome.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 42 randomised clinical trials with 3898 participants. Most trials included participants undergoing intraperitoneal oncological resection surgery. We present the Peto fixed-effect model for most dichotomous outcomes as only sparse events were reported. Comparison 1: deep versus moderate NMB Thirty-eight trials compared deep versus moderate NMB. Deep NMB may have no effect on mortality, but the evidence is very uncertain (Peto odds ratio (OR) 7.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.45 to 115.43; 12 trials, 1390 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Deep NMB likely results in little to no difference in health-related quality of life up to four days postoperative (mean difference (MD) 4.53 favouring deep NMB on the Quality of Recovery-40 score, 95% CI 0.96 to 8.09; 5 trials, 440 participants; moderate-certainty evidence; mean difference lower than the mean clinically important difference of 10 points). The evidence is very uncertain about the effect of deep NMB on intraoperatively serious adverse events (deep NMB 38/1150 versus moderate NMB 38/1076; Peto OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.59 to 1.52; 21 trials, 2231 participants; very low-certainty evidence), short-term serious adverse events (up to 60 days) (deep NMB 37/912 versus moderate NMB 42/852; Peto OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.56 to 1.42; 16 trials, 1764 participants; very low-certainty evidence), and short-term non-serious adverse events (Peto OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.35; 11 trials, 1232 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Deep NMB likely does not alter the duration of surgery (MD -0.51 minutes, 95% CI -3.35 to 2.32; 34 trials, 3143 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). The evidence is uncertain if deep NMB alters the length of hospital stay (MD -0.22 days, 95% CI -0.49 to 0.06; 19 trials, 2084 participants; low-certainty evidence) or pain scores one hour after surgery (MD -0.31 points on the numeric rating scale, 95% CI -0.59 to -0.03; 22 trials, 1823 participants; very low-certainty evidence; mean clinically important difference 1 point) and 24 hours after surgery (MD -0.60 points on the numeric rating scale, 95% CI -1.05 to -0.15; 16 trials, 1404 participants; very low-certainty evidence; mean clinically important difference 1 point). Comparison 2: deep versus shallow NMB Three trials compared deep versus shallow NMB. The trials did not report on mortality and health-related quality of life. The evidence is very uncertain about the effect of deep NMB compared to shallow NMB on the proportion of serious adverse events (RR 1.66, 95% CI 0.50 to 5.57; 2 trials, 158 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Comparison 3: deep versus no NMB One trial compared deep versus no NMB. There was no mortality in this trial, and health-related quality of life was not reported. The proportion of serious adverse events was 0/25 in the deep NMB group and 1/25 in the no NMB group.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There was insufficient evidence to draw conclusions about the effects of deep NMB compared to moderate NMB on all-cause mortality and serious adverse events. Deep NMB likely results in little to no difference in health-related quality of life and duration of surgery compared to moderate NMB, and it may have no effect on the length of hospital stay. Due to the very low-certainty evidence, we do not know what the effect is of deep NMB on non-serious adverse events, pain scores, or readmission rates. Randomised clinical trials with adequate reporting of all adverse events would reduce the current uncertainties. Due to the low number of identified trials and the very low certainty of evidence, we do not know what the effect of deep NMB on serious adverse events is compared to shallow NMB and no NMB. We found no trials evaluating mortality and health-related quality of life.

Mismatch of populations between randomised controlled trials of perioperative interventions in major abdominal surgery and current clinical practice

BACKGROUND

Demographics of patients undergoing major abdominal surgery are changing. External validity of relevant RCTs may be limited by participants not resembling patients encountered in clinical practice. We aimed to characterise differences in age, weight, BMI, and ASA grade between participants in perioperative trials in major abdominal surgery and patients in a reference real-world clinical practice sample. The secondary aim was to investigate whether time since trial publication was associated with increasing mismatch between these groups.

METHODS

MEDLINE and Embase were searched for multicentre RCTs from inception to September 2022. Studies of perioperative interventions in adults were included. Studies that limited enrolment based on age, weight, BMI, or ASA status were excluded. We compared trial cohort age, weight, BMI, and ASA distribution to those of patients undergoing major abdominal surgery at our tertiary referral hospital during September 2021 to September 2022. We used a local, single-institution reference sample to reflect the reality of clinical practice (i.e. patients treated by a clinician in their own hospital, rather than averaged nationally). Mismatch was defined using comparison of summary characteristics and ad hoc criteria based on differences relevant to predicted mortality risk after surgery.

RESULTS

One-hundred and six trials (44,499 participants) were compared to a reference cohort of 2792 clinical practice patients. Trials were published a median (IQR [range]) 13.4 (5-20 [0-35]) years ago. A total of 94.3% of trials were mismatched on at least one characteristic (age, weight, BMI, ASA). Recruitment of ASA 3 + participants in trials increased over time, and recruitment of ASA 1 participants decreased over time (Spearman's Rho 0.58 and - 0.44, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients encountered in our current local clinical practice are significantly different from those in our defined set of perioperative RCTs. Older trials recruit more low-risk than high-risk participants-trials may thus 'expire' over time. These trials may not be generalisable to current patients undergoing major abdominal surgery, and meta-analyses or guidelines incorporating these trials may therefore be similarly non-applicable. Comparison to local, rather than national cohorts, is important for meaningful on-the-ground evidence-based decision-making.

Deep versus moderate neuromuscular blockade during total hip arthroplasty to improve postoperative quality of recovery and immune function: protocol for a randomised controlled study

INTRODUCTION

There is accumulating evidence that deep neuromuscular blockade (NMB) improves intraoperative surgical conditions during laparoscopic surgery. Studies investigating the effects of deep NMB in open surgery are scarce. In theory, by limiting surgical damage through deeper muscle relaxation, postoperative inflammation and concomitant immune suppression can be reduced. Therefore, this study will investigate the effects of deep NMB during total hip arthroplasty, which demands a relatively large exposure of the hip joint through and in between muscles.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This study is a monocentre blinded randomised controlled trial in 100 patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty under general anaesthesia. Patients will be randomised in a 1:1 fashion to an intervention group of intraoperative deep NMB (a post-tetanic count of 1-2) or a control group receiving moderate NMB (a train-of-four count of 1-2). NMB will be achieved by continuous or bolus administration of rocuronium, respectively. The primary endpoint is the quality of recovery at postoperative day 1 measured by the Quality of Recovery-40 Questionnaire, analysed by Analysis of Variance. The secondary endpoint is postoperative innate immune function, measured by ex vivo production capacity of tumour necrosis factor and interleukin-1β on endotoxin stimulation of whole blood.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval for this study was granted by the Medical Ethics Committee 'METC Oost-Nederland' (reference number 2022-15754). Informed consent will be obtained prior to study participation. Study results will be published in an international peer-reviewed journal.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS

ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT05562999) and EudraCT Registry (2022-002451-19).

MRI measurement of the effects of moderate and deep neuromuscular blockade on the abdominal working space during laparoscopic surgery, a clinical study

BACKGROUND

Conflicting data exist regarding the effects of deep neuromuscular blockade (NMB) on abdominal dimensions during laparoscopic procedures. We performed a clinical study to establish the influence of moderate and deep neuromuscular blockade (NMB) on the abdominal working space, measured by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), during laparoscopic donor nephrectomy with standard pressure (12 mmHg) pneumoperitoneum under sevoflurane anaesthesia.

METHODS

Ten patients were intraoperatively scanned three times in the lateral decubitus position, with pneumoperitoneum maintained by a mobile insufflator. The first scan without NMB (T1) was followed by scans with moderate (T2) and deep NMB (T3). The skin-sacral promontory (S-SP) distance was measured, and 3D pneumoperitoneum volumes were reconstructed.

RESULTS

The mean difference in the S-SP distance was -0.32 cm between T2 and T3 (95% CI -1.06 - 0.42 cm; p = 0.344) and + 2.1 cm between T1 and T2 (95% CI 0.81 - 3.39 cm; p = 0.006). The mean differences in pneumoperitoneum volume were 166 mL between T2 and T3 (95% CI, 5 - 327 mL; p = 0.044) and 108 mL between T1 and T2 (95% CI, -273 - 488 mL; p = 0.525). The pneumoperitoneum volume showed high inter-individual variability and no increase in three patients with a high volume at T1.

CONCLUSIONS

During laparoscopic surgery in the lateral decubitus position with standard pressure under sevoflurane anaesthesia, deep NMB did not increase the S-SP distance compared to moderate NMB. Moderate NMB increased the S-SP distance by a mean of 2.1 cm (15.2%) compared with no NMB. The mean pneumoperitoneum volume increased slightly from moderate to deep NMB, with high inter-individual variability.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT03287388.

Peri-operative management of neuromuscular blockade: A guideline from the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care

Recent data indicated a high incidence of inappropriate management of neuromuscular block, with a high rate of residual paralysis and relaxant-associated postoperative complications. These data are alarming in that the available neuromuscular monitoring, as well as myorelaxants and their antagonists basically allow well tolerated management of neuromuscular blockade. In this first European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC) guideline on peri-operative management of neuromuscular block, we aim to present aggregated and evidence-based recommendations to assist clinicians provide best medical care and ensure patient safety. We identified three main clinical questions: Are myorelaxants necessary to facilitate tracheal intubation in adults? Does the intensity of neuromuscular blockade influence a patient's outcome in abdominal surgery? What are the strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of residual paralysis? On the basis of this, PICO (patient, intervention, comparator, outcome) questions were derived that guided a structured literature search. A stepwise approach was used to reduce the number of trials of the initial research ( n  = 24 000) to the finally relevant clinical studies ( n  = 88). GRADE methodology (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) was used for formulating the recommendations based on the findings of the included studies in conjunction with their methodological quality. A two-step Delphi process was used to determine the agreement of the panel members with the recommendations: R1 We recommend using a muscle relaxant to facilitate tracheal intubation (1A). R2 We recommend the use of muscle relaxants to reduce pharyngeal and/or laryngeal injury following endotracheal intubation (1C). R3 We recommend the use of a fast-acting muscle relaxant for rapid sequence induction intubation (RSII) such as succinylcholine 1 mg kg -1 or rocuronium 0.9 to 1.2 mg kg -1 (1B). R4 We recommend deepening neuromuscular blockade if surgical conditions need to be improved (1B). R5 There is insufficient evidence to recommend deep neuromuscular blockade in general to reduce postoperative pain or decrease the incidence of peri-operative complications. (2C). R6 We recommend the use of ulnar nerve stimulation and quantitative neuromuscular monitoring at the adductor pollicis muscle to exclude residual paralysis (1B). R7 We recommend using sugammadex to antagonise deep, moderate and shallow neuromuscular blockade induced by aminosteroidal agents (rocuronium, vecuronium) (1A). R8 We recommend advanced spontaneous recovery (i.e. TOF ratio >0.2) before starting neostigmine-based reversal and to continue quantitative monitoring of neuromuscular blockade until a TOF ratio of more than 0.9 has been attained. (1C).

The effects of moderate neuromuscular blockade combined with transverse abdominal plane block on surgical space conditions during laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a randomized clinical study

Background

Deep neuromuscular blockade may be beneficial on surgical space conditions during laparoscopic surgery. The effects of moderate neuromuscular blockade combined with transverse abdominal plane block (TAPB) on surgical space conditions during laparoscopic surgery have not been described. This work investigated whether the above combination is associated with similar surgical space conditions to those of deep neuromuscular blockade.

Methods

Eighty patients undergoing elective laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer were randomly divided into two groups. The intervention group was treated with moderate neuromuscular blockade (train-of-four (TOF) count between 1 and 3) combined with TAPB (M group), while the control group was treated with deep neuromuscular blockade (D group), with a TOF count of 0 and a post-tetanic count (PTC) ≥1. Both groups received the same anesthesia management. The distance between the sacral promontory and the umbilical skin during the operation was compared between the two groups. The surgeon scored the surgical space conditions according to a five-point ordinal scale. Patients’ pain scores were evaluated 8 h after the operation.

Results

The distance from the sacral promontory to the umbilical skin after pneumoperitoneum was similar between the D group and M group (16.03 ± 2.17 cm versus 16.37 ± 2.78 cm; P = 0.544). The 95% confidence intervals of the difference in the distance from the sacral promontory to the umbilical skin between the two groups were − 1.45–0.77 cm. According to the preset non-inferior standard of 1.5 cm, (− 1.45, ∞) completely fell within (− 1.50, ∞), and the non-inferior effect test was qualified. No significant difference was found in the surgical rating score between the two groups. The dosage of rocuronium in the group D was significantly higher than that in the group M (P < 0.01). The M group had significantly lower pain scores than the D group 8 h after the operation (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Moderate neuromuscular blockade combined with TAPB applied to laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery can provide surgical space conditions similar to those of deep neuromuscular blockade. In addition, it reduces the use of muscle relaxants, relieves postoperative pain within 4 h after operation, and shorten the extubation time and stay in PACU when neostigmine was used as muscle relaxant antagonist.

Trial registration

chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR2000034621), registered on July 12, 2020.

Deep neuromuscular block reduces the incidence of intra-operative complications during laparoscopic donor nephrectomy: a pooled analysis of randomized controlled trials

Study objective

To assess whether different intensities of intra-abdominal pressure and deep neuromuscular blockade influence the risk of intra-operative surgical complications during laparoscopic donor nephrectomy.

Design

A pooled analysis of ten previously performed prospective randomized controlled trials.

Setting

Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy performed in four academic hospitals in the Netherlands: Radboudumc, Leiden UMC, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, and Amsterdam UMC.

Patients

Five hundred fifty-six patients undergoing a transperitoneal, fully laparoscopic donor nephrectomy enrolled in ten prospective, randomized controlled trials conducted in the Netherlands from 2001 to 2017.

Interventions

Moderate (tetanic count of four > 1) versus deep (post-tetanic count 1–5) neuromuscular blockade and standard (≥10 mmHg) versus low (<10 mmHg) intra-abdominal pressure.

Measurements

The primary endpoint is the number of intra-operative surgical complications defined as any deviation from the ideal intra-operative course occurring between skin incision and closure with five severity grades, according to ClassIntra. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors of intra- and postoperative complications.

Main results

In 53/556 (9.5%) patients, an intra-operative complication with ClassIntra grade ≥ 2 occurred. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed standard intra-abdominal pressure (OR 0.318, 95% CI 0.118–0.862; p = 0.024) as a predictor of less intra-operative complications and moderate neuromuscular blockade (OR 3.518, 95% CI 1.244–9.948; p = 0.018) as a predictor of more intra-operative complications. Postoperative complications occurred in 31/556 (6.8%), without significant predictors in multiple logistic regression analyses.

Conclusions

Our data indicate that the use of deep neuromuscular blockade could increase safety during laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. Future randomized clinical trials should be performed to confirm this and to pursue whether it also applies to other types of laparoscopic surgery.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov LEOPARD-2 (NCT02146417), LEOPARD-3 trial (NCT02602964), and RELAX-1 study (NCT02838134), Klop et al. (NTR 3096), Dols et al. 2014 (NTR1433).

The impact of deep versus standard neuromuscular block on intraoperative safety during laparoscopic surgery: an international multicenter randomized controlled double-blind strategy trial - EURO-RELAX TRIAL

Background

Muscle relaxants are routinely used during anesthesia to facilitate endotracheal intubation and to optimize surgical conditions. However, controversy remains about the required depth of neuromuscular block (NMB) needed for optimal surgical working conditions and how this relates to other outcomes. For instance, a deep neuromuscular block yields superior surgical working conditions compared to a standard NMB in laparoscopic surgery, however, a robust association to other (safety) outcomes has not yet been established.

Methods

Trial design: an international multicenter randomized controlled double-blind strategy trial.

Trial population: 922 patients planned for elective, laparoscopic or robotic, abdominal surgery.

Intervention: Patients will be randomized to a deep NMB (post-tetanic count 1–2 twitches) or standard care (single-dose muscle relaxant administration at induction and repeated only if warranted by surgical team).

Main trial endpoints: Primary endpoint is the difference in incidence of intraoperative adverse events during laparoscopic surgery graded according to ClassIntra® classification (i.e., ClassIntra® grade ≥ 2) between both groups. Secondary endpoints include the surgical working conditions, 30-day postoperative complications, and patients’ quality of recovery.

Discussion

This trial was designed to analyze the effect of deep neuromuscular block compared to standard neuromuscular block on intra- and postoperative adverse events in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04124757(EURO-RELAX); registration URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04124757, registered on October 11th, 2019. 

Early postoperative pain after laparoscopic donor nephrectomy predicts 30-day postoperative infectious complications: a pooled analysis of randomized controlled trials

Our research group recently published a positive association between early postoperative pain and 30-day postoperative complications in a broad surgical population. To investigate whether heterogeneity of the population and surgical procedures influenced these results, we explored this association in a homogenous surgical population. A secondary analysis of the LEOPARD-2 (clinicaltrials.gov NCT02146417) and RELAX-1 study (NCT02838134) in laparoscopic donor nephrectomy patients (n = 160) was performed. Pain scores on the postanesthesia care unit and postoperative day (POD) 1 and 2 were compared between patients with infectious, noninfectious, and no complications 30 days after surgery. Patients who developed infectious complications had significantly higher pain scores on POD1 and 2 (6.7 ± 2.1 and 6.4 ± 2.8) than patients without complications (4.9 ± 2.2 and 4.1 ± 1.9), respectively (P = 0.006 and P = 0.000). Unacceptable pain (numeric rating scale [NRS] ≥ 6) on POD1 was reported by 72% of patients who developed infectious complications, compared to 38% with noninfectious complications and 30% without complications (P = 0.018). This difference was still present on POD2 at 67% with infectious complications, 21% with noninfectious, and 40% without complications (P = 0.000). Multiple regression analysis identified unacceptable pain (numeric rating scale ≥6) on POD2 as a significant predictor for 30-day infectious complications (odds ratio 6.09, P = 0.001). Results confirm the association between early postoperative pain and 30-day infectious complications in a separate, homogenous surgical population. Further clinical trials should focus on finetuning of postoperative analgesia to elucidate the effects on the endocrine and immune response, preserve immune homeostasis, and prevent postoperative infectious complications.

Deep neuromuscular block does not improve surgical conditions in patients receiving sevoflurane anaesthesia for laparoscopic renal surgery

Background

Deep neuromuscular block is associated with improved working conditions during laparoscopic surgery when propofol is used as a general anaesthetic. However, whether deep neuromuscular block yields similar beneficial effects when anaesthesia is maintained using volatile inhalation anaesthesia has not been systematically investigated. Volatile anaesthetics, as opposed to intravenous agents, potentiate muscle relaxation, which potentially reduces the need for deep neuromuscular block to obtain optimal surgical conditions. We examined whether deep neuromuscular block improves surgical conditions over moderate neuromuscular block during sevoflurane anaesthesia.

Methods

In this single-centre, prospective, randomised, double-blind study, 98 patients scheduled for elective renal surgery were randomised to receive deep (post-tetanic count 1–2 twitches) or a moderate neuromuscular block (train-of-four 1–2 twitches). Anaesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane and titrated to bispectral index values between 40 and 50. Pneumoperitoneum pressure was maintained at 12 mm Hg. The primary outcome was the difference in surgical conditions, scored at 15 min intervals by one of eight blinded surgeons using a 5-point Leiden-Surgical Rating Scale (L-SRS) that scores the quality of the surgical field from extremely poor¹ to optimal⁵.

Results

Deep neuromuscular block did not improve surgical conditions compared with moderate neuromuscular block: mean (standard deviation) L-SRS 4.8 (0.3) vs 4.8 (0.4), respectively (P=0.94). Secondary outcomes, including unplanned postoperative readmissions and prolonged hospital admission, were not significantly different.

Conclusions

During sevoflurane anaesthesia, deep neuromuscular block did not improve surgical conditions over moderate neuromuscular block in normal-pressure laparoscopic renal surgery.

Clinical trial registration

NL7844 (www.trialregister.nl).

The effect of low- versus normal-pressure pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic colorectal surgery on the early quality of recovery with perioperative care according to the enhanced recovery principles (RECOVER): study protocol for a randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND

There is increasing evidence for the use of lower insufflation pressures during laparoscopic surgery. Deep neuromuscular blockade allows for a safe reduction in intra-abdominal pressure without compromising the quality of the surgical field. While there is considerable evidence to support superior surgical conditions during deep neuromuscular blockade, there is only a limited amount of studies investigating patient outcomes. Moreover, results are not always consistent between studies and vary between different types of laparoscopic surgery. This study will investigate the effect of low-pressure pneumoperitoneum facilitated by deep NMB on quality of recovery after laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

METHODS

The RECOVER study is a multicenter double-blinded randomized controlled trial consisting of 204 patients who will be randomized in a 1:1 fashion to group A, low-pressure pneumoperitoneum (8 mmHg) facilitated by deep neuromuscular blockade (post tetanic count of 1-2), or group B, normal-pressure pneumoperitoneum (12 mmHg) with moderate neuromuscular blockade (train-of-four response of 1-2). The primary outcome is quality of recovery on postoperative day 1, quantified by the Quality of Recovery-40 questionnaire.

DISCUSSION

Few studies have investigated the effect of lower insufflation pressures facilitated by deep neuromuscular blockade on patient outcomes after laparoscopic colorectal procedures. This study will identify whether low pressure pneumoperitoneum and deep neuromuscular blockade will enhance recovery after colorectal laparoscopic surgery and, moreover, if this could be a valuable addition to the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery guidelines.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

EudraCT 2018-001485-42. Registered on April 9, 2018. Clinicaltrials.govNCT03608436. Registered on July 30, 2018.

Assessment of spontaneous neuromuscular recovery: A comparison of the TOF-Cuff® with the TOF Watch SX®

BACKGROUND

TOF-Cuff^® is a modified blood pressure cuff used to monitor neuromuscular block. We compared the assessment of spontaneous neuromuscular recovery between TOF-Cuff^® (test device) and TOF Watch SX^® (reference device).

METHODS

Forty patients aged 18-65 years undergoing elective surgery were enrolled. TOF-Cuff^® was installed on an upper arm and the TOF Watch SX^® on the thumb of the opposite side. Anaesthesia was induced and maintained with intravenous propofol and sufentanil. After induction, the devices were calibrated and continuous train-of-four (TOF) stimulation was started. A single intravenous dose of rocuronium (0.6 mg kg^-1 ) was administered for intubation. The primary outcome was total recovery time (time in minutes from the injection of rocuronium to a normalized TOF ratio of 90%). Agreement between the two devices was calculated using mean difference and limits of agreement.

RESULTS

The primary outcome could be analysed in 27 patients because of 13 exclusions due to neuromuscular block reversal for shorter procedure surgical time, necessity of reinjection of rocuronium or technical failures of one of the two devices. Median total recovery time with the test device was 45 minutes (interquartile range [IQR] 38.5-61.5) and 63 minutes (IQR 51.1-74.5) with the reference device. Total recovery time with the test device was on average 16.4 minutes shorter (limits of agreement, -6.1 to 39); increasing total recovery time was associated with increasing difference. The TOF ratio of the reference device was on average 0.59 (SD 0.23) when the test device indicated complete recovery. The TOF ratio of the test device was on average 0.98 (SD 0.03) when the reference device indicated complete recovery.

CONCLUSION

When compared with the TOF Watch SX^® , TOF-Cuff^® overestimates spontaneous recovery of a rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block.