Deep Versus Moderate Neuromuscular Blockade During Laparoscopic Surgery

Effect of Deep Versus Moderate Neuromuscular Blockade on Peak Airway Pressures During Elective Laparoscopic Surgery

This is a two period cross-over study randomizing patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery into 2 different groups: group 1 in which patients receive "deep neuromuscular blockade" in the beginning portion of their laparoscopic surgery followed by a period of "moderate blockade" and, group 2 in which patients receive "moderate neuromuscular blockade" in the beginning portion of their laparoscopic surgery followed by a period of "deep blockade". The deep neuromuscular block is defined as post tetanic count of 1 to 2 and the moderate neuromuscular block is defined as 1-2 twitches. In all patients, sugammadex is used to reverse the block at the end of surgery in order to obtain optimal extubating conditions.

Neuromuscular blockade (NMB) is frequently utilized in laparoscopic procedures to improve surgical conditions by relaxing the abdominal muscles and thus facilitating insufflation with carbon dioxide to optimize surgical view. Increased airway pressures can lead to an increase in alveolar and perivascular edema, a decline in dynamic lung compliance and hypoxemia.

Several studies have investigated surgical view under deep vs. moderate neuromuscular blockade. Literature supports deep neuromuscular blockade providing better operating conditions/view by a surgeon and low airway pressures but, potentially, longer duration to extubation and worse respiratory mechanics at the end of anesthesia versus moderate neuromuscular blockade which shows worse operating conditions/view by a surgeon and worse airway pressures but possibly shorter duration to extubation and better respiratory mechanics at the end of anesthesia.

Thus, there is clearly equipoise with regard to the comparative effectiveness of deep vs medium NMB. Therefore, this study is designed to ascertain if a deep neuromuscular block will decrease the airway pressures in patients undergoing laparoscopic procedures compared to those under a moderate block. A reduction in airway pressures may lead to a decrease in the complications associated with elevated airway pressures including hypoxemia, total static lung compliance, alveolar edema, and long term morbidity. Additionally, the study aims to determine if time from administration of sugammadex to reversal is different between patients that have a moderate NMB as compared to a deep NMB.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Each participant must be willing and able to provide written informed consent for the study.
• Each participant must be American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class I, II or III.
• Each participant must be scheduled for elective laparoscopic surgery (this includes robotic laparoscopic surgery).
• Expected surgical duration of 60 min or longer

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inability to give informed oral or written consent
• Known or suspected neuromuscular disorders impairing neuromuscular function;
• True allergies as defined as hypotension, bronchospasm, or anaphylaxis to muscle relaxants, anesthetics or opioids
• A history (patient or family) of malignant hyperthermia
• A contraindication for neostigmine administration
• Renal insufficiency, as defined by serum creatinine levels at 2.5 fold the normal level
• Body mass index >40 kg/m^2
• Significant respiratory disease.
• Planned postoperative mechanical ventilation