Reversal of neuromuscular blockade with sugammadex or neostigmine/atropine: Effect on postoperative gastrointestinal motility.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare sugammadex with conventional reversal of neuromuscular block in terms of postoperative gastrointestinal motility.

DESIGN: Double blinded, randomized, controlled clinical trial.

SETTING: Operating room, postoperative recovery area.

PATIENTS: Seventy-two patients with ASA physical status I or II, scheduled for total thyroid surgery were studied.

INTERVENTIONS: When 4 twitches were observed on train-of-four stimulation, neuromuscular block was reversed conversatively in the control group, and with sugammadex in the study group.

MEASUREMENTS: Time to first flatus and feces, incidence of postoperative nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation were collected.

MAIN RESULTS: Median time of first flatus was 24 hours (18-32 [10-36]) in the neostigmine group, and 24 (18-28 [12-48]) in the sugammadex group (P > .05). Median (IQR) time of first feces was 24 hours (18-36 [10-48]) in neostigmine group, 32 hours (28-36 [12-72]) in sugammadex group (P > .05). There were no occurrences of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation.

CONCLUSIONS: Sugammadex may be safely used in cases where postoperative ileus is expected.