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Background: To investigate feasibility of utilizing enhanced neuromuscular blocking agents with selective recovery protocol during thyroid surgery with intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM). Methods: Two‐hundred and ninety patients were randomized into two groups: group A 0.3 mg/kg rocuronium and group B 0.6 mg/kg. Sugammadex 2 mg/kg was injected if needed followed initial vagal stimulation (V0). Electromyography signals from vagus and recurrent laryngeal nerves before and after resection were recorded as V1, V2, R1, and R2. Results: In group B, 30 patients (20.7%) had V0 signals <100 μV, compared to 9 (6.2%) in group A. After sugammadex administration, 144 patients (99.3%) in both groups achieved positive V1 signals. Group B demonstrated a shorter surgical time from rocuronium injection to V2 stimulation compared to group A, accompanied by a significantly lower incidence of intraoperative body movement (0 vs. 16 patients). Conclusions: 0.6 mg/kg rocuronium with selective use 2 mg/kg sugammadex for IONM in thyroid surgery can meet both anesthesia and surgery demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In oral maxillofacial surgery, the nasal tracheal tube is mostly used to provide a better surgical field for oral, head and neck operations. Postoperative sore throat and hoarseness are common following tracheal intubation, with an incidence of 11–55%. Then, we previously reported advantage technique of fiberoptic scope to decrease the risk which the tip of the tube is visualized as the tube is advanced which helps avoid impingement of the tube. However, the extent to which this technique causes postoperative complications is unknown compared to traditional technique. The aim of this study was retrospectively to determine the effect of postoperative sore throat following nasotracheal intubation by tip of the tube is visualized by fiberoptic scope. Method: Anesthesia records of the adult patients with nasotracheal intubation were checked. Patients underwent oral maxillofacial surgery from January 2021 until March 2023. Facilitated with rocuronium, nasotracheal intubation was performed using the traditional or observative method by fiberoptic scope with a 4.8 mm outer diameter. Intubation was performed with a cuffed 6.5–8.0 mm ID nasotracheal tube. The following variables were recorded: gender, age, height, weight, ASA classification, anesthesia time, duration of intubation, tube size, intubation attempts, fentanyl and remifentanil. The postoperative sore throat and the incidence of hoarseness were recorded at operative day and at the day after operative day, and the time to recovery. Result: A total of 104 cases (traditional fiberoptic intubation n = 51, observative fiberoptic intubation n = 53) were enrolled in this retrospective study. There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics and anesthetic data. There was not significant difference in incidence of postoperative sore throat, hoarseness and recovery between the two groups (P = 0.61, 0.44, 0.90). For subjects reporting postoperative sore throat (n = 30), there was not a significant difference in VAS means at operative day and at the day after operative day between the two groups (P = 0.81, 0.91). Conclusion: We found that postoperative sore throat and recovery were not influenced by observative fiberoptic scope for nasotracheal intubation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of interventional pulmonology has grown immensely and is increasingly recognized as a subspecialty. The new procedures introduced in the last decade pose unique challenges, and anesthesiologists need to readapt to their specific demands. In this review, we extensively discuss the pathophysiology, technical aspects, preprocedural preparation, anesthetic management, and postprocedural challenges of many new procedures such as navigational bronchoscopy, endobronchial valve deployment, and bronchial thermoplasty. Majority of these procedures are performed under general anesthesia with an endotracheal tube. Total intravenous anesthesia with rocuronium as a muscle relaxant seems to be the standard US practice. The easy availability and proven safety and efficacy of sugammadex as a reversal agent of rocuronium has decreased the need for high-dose remifentanil as an agent to avoid muscle relaxants. Additional research is available with regard to the utility of nebulized lidocaine and is discussed. Finally, two newer drugs administered for conscious sedation (typically without the need of an anesthesiologist) are likely to gain popularity in the future. Remimazolam is a new short-acting benzodiazepine with a relatively faster offset of clinical effects. Dexmedetomidine, a selective adrenergic agonist, is increasingly employed in bronchoscopy as a sedative during bronchoscopic procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Anesthesia plays a very important role in the successful management of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM). The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of anesthesia induction and maintenance on the quality of signals during surgeries on the thyroid and parathyroid glands using neuromonitoring. Methods: The study included 72 patients who underwent surgery with IONM for one year. All the patients were intubated using a Glidescope videolaryngoscope with a hyperangulated blade. Two different approaches were used to facilitate intubation: succinylcholine-1 mg/kg and rocuronium bromide-0.3 mg/kg. For anesthesia maintenance, total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) or combined anesthesia was used. Patients' body movements during operations, as well as electromyography signals from the vagus and recurrent laryngeal nerves before resection, were recorded as V1 and R1. Results: Intraoperative unwanted movements were recorded in 25% of patients. Undesired movements were more frequently recorded in the TIVA group compared to the combined anesthesia group (p < 0.001) as well as in patients who received succinylcholine compared to patients who received rocuronium bromide (p = 0.028). Type of anesthesia maintenance as well as type of muscle relaxant did not affect the quality of recorded nerve signals. (p = 0.169 and p = 0.894, respectively). Conclusions: The type of muscle relaxant used significantly affects the occurrence of undesirable movements during thyroid surgery with IONM, while the type of anesthesia maintenance did not influence either the quality of the obtained signal or the occurrence of undesirable movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sugammadex rapidly reverses the nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) rocuronium and vecuronium. The role of sugammadex is not well-defined outside of the postoperative setting. Objective: This study aims to describe sugammadex use outside the postoperative setting for the reversal of nondepolarizing NMBAs. Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study conducted in patients who received sugammadex outside of the postoperative setting at an academic medical center between June 2016 and November 2022. The primary outcome was the effect of sugammadex use for rocuronium reversal, defined as any increase in train-of-four (TOF) after sugammadex administration and/or progress note documentation if TOF was unavailable. Secondary outcomes included adverse events and documentation of contraceptive counseling in patients taking hormonal contraceptives with child-bearing ability. Results: A total of 14 383 patients received sugammadex during the study period. Of those patients, 39 (0.3%) were outside of the postoperative setting for the reversal of rocuronium and included in the study. Twenty-nine (74%) patients had an increase in TOF after sugammadex administration and/or progress note documentation if TOF was unavailable. Ten (26%) patients lacked documentation regarding the effect of sugammadex. No adverse reactions were reported. Three (8%) patients included in the study were of child-bearing ability, and 1 of the 3 patients was counseled on using an alternative method of contraception following sugammadex administration. Conclusion and Relevance: There is a paucity of literature for the use of sugammadex outside of the postoperative setting. This study found that while the use of sugammadex was rare, overall, it was safe and well-tolerated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A booster dose can result in a similar reaction to the initial dose. Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) can produce a comparable reaction in the absence of specific pathophysiologic alterations. Case: An initial dose of rocuronium 40 mg was given to a male patient (50 years old, height 168 cm, weight 54 kg, body mass index 19.13 kg/m²) for anesthesia. The onset was usual, but the duration was brief. Two booster doses were administered at 20 min intervals, but recovery came quickly. So, acute tolerance was suspected. Muscle function was restored to greater than train-of-four ratio 0.75 while spontaneous aided breathing was maintained without the need of further NMBAs. Following the operation, sugammadex (1.85 mg/kg) was provided to prevent residual neuromuscular inhibition. Conclusions: Anesthetists must be able to suspect acute tolerance to NMBAs in patients with no unique medical history and have a plan to resolve it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The volume of distribution of cisatracurium is limited by its large molecular weight and high polarity. The steady state volume of distribution is equal to 145 ml/kg in healthy adults receiving opioid anaesthesia which is approximately 21% larger in similar patients receiving inhalation anaesthesia. Rocuronium acts by combining with nAchRs without causing any activation of these ion receptor channels. It acts competitively with ACh at α subunits of postjunctional nAChRs. After taking written informed consent, 90 patients aged between 20 to 60 years belonging to ASA grade I and ASA grade II of either sex, undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia were included in the study. They were randomly divided into 3 groups of 30 patients each, who received one of the muscle relaxant for intubation. Intubation score was comparable across all three groups with p=0.248. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is worthwhile to note that the comparative clinical profile of rocuronium and cisatracurium are reported in less number. Armed with evidences of safety profile of these two drugs, we decided to find out if exceeding of the standard induction doses provides more favorable conditions for intubation. The proposed study was conducted on 90 patients who underwent elective surgeries under general anaesthesia the Department of Anaesthesiology, after obtaining ethical committee clearance. After taking written informed consent, 90 patients aged between 20 to 60 years belonging to ASA grade I and ASA grade II of either sex, undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia were included in the study. They were randomly divided into 3 groups of 30 patients each, who received one of the muscle relaxant for intubation. There are no dose-related effects on the incidence of changes from baseline (30% or greater) in mean arterial blood pressure or heart rate associated with rocuronium bromide administration over the dose range of 0.12 to 1.2 mg/kg (4 x ED95) within 5 minutes after rocuronium bromide administration and prior to intubation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cisatracurium and rocuronium are non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockers with an intermediate duration of action and are used safely in short and intermediateduration surgical procedures in the pediatric population. Aims and Objectives: A prospective randomized study is to assess the efficacy of cisatracurium compared to rocuronium in terms of intubating conditions, clinical duration of action, hemodynamic parameters, and side effects in pediatric patients undergoing surgeries under general anesthesia. Materials and Methods: In this study, 50 patients aged 2-12 years with the American Society of Anesthesiologists grades I and II were randomly allocated into two groups: Group I received injection cisatracurium 0.15 mg/kg IV and Group II received injection rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg IV for intubation. Intubating conditions by Cooper et al., score, TOF count, hemodynamic parameters, signs of histamine release, and complications if any were noted. Results: According to the Cooper et al., score, intubating conditions were excellent in 100% of patients in Group II and 84% of patients in Group I, which was statistically significant. The time required for the first maintenance dose was shorter in Group II (14.04±2.95 min) compared to Group I (20.08±3.68 min). Hemodynamic parameters and demographic profiles were comparable between the two groups. No associated signs of histamine release or any other complications were noted in either group. Conclusion: We concluded that rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg provides better intubating conditions and a shorter duration of action compared to cisatracurium 0.15 mg/kg without any signs of histamine release in pediatric patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a commonly encountered and significant complication following anesthesia, which can adversely affect the quality of a patient's recovery. Many factors contribute to the development of POST. Controlled hypotension (CH) is a surgical technique used to reduce blood flow, improve visibility, and shorten procedure time by safely lowering blood pressure. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of CH on POST, coughing, hoarseness, and vomiting in patients undergoing surgery in a supine position with a fixed endotracheal cuff pressure. Material and Method: A total of 124 patients, aged between 18 and 65 years, classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class I-II and scheduled for elective surgical procedures, were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups: Group N (n=65), consisting of normotensive individuals, and Group H (n=59), which included patients subjected to CH. In both groups, the endotracheal cuff pressure was manually set to 25 cmH2O using a cuff pressure manometer. CH was achieved in Group H by administering glyceryl trinitrate (nitroglycerin) infusion, maintaining the mean arterial pressure (MAP) within the range of 55-65 mmHg. Patients were assessed for POST, coughing, hoarseness, and vomiting at postoperative 15 minutes, 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours. Results: Demographic data, smoking status, ASA scores, surgical and anesthesia durations were similar between the groups. Statistically significant differences were observed between the groups in the numeric rate scores (NRS) for throat pain at 15 minutes and 2 hours, as well as hoarseness scores at 2 and 6 hours. The groups were similar regarding vomiting rates and cough scores. Conclusion: In this study investigating the impact of CH on sore throat, we observed an increased incidence of POST and hoarseness in patients subjected to CH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Succinylcholine and rocuronium are the predominant neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) used for rapid sequence intubation (RSI) in the emergency department (ED). Prior studies have found reduced first‐attempt intubation success (FAIS) with rocuronium compared to succinylcholine. Recent large registry data have shown no difference in intubating conditions or FAIS. Objectives. The objective of this study was to compare FAIS rates for rocuronium and succinylcholine when used for RSI in a high‐acuity academic ED. Methods. This was a single‐center retrospective study. Patients were included if they received either succinylcholine or rocuronium for RSI in the ED from January 2016 to August 2020. The primary endpoint was FAIS. Subgroup analyses were performed evaluating the impact of weight‐based dosing on FAIS for each agent, and multivariate analysis was conducted to evaluate the impact of baseline characteristics on the primary outcome. Results. There were 448 patients who received rocuronium and 183 patients who received succinylcholine. No difference was observed in unadjusted FAIS between patients receiving rocuronium (median weight‐based dose: 1.22 mg/kg) or succinylcholine (median weight‐based dose: 1.43 mg/kg) (361 (80.6%) vs. 150 (82.0%), p = 0.69). There were no differences in FAIS between the weight‐based dose categories for rocuronium and for succinylcholine. Conclusions. These findings were consistent with those from recent studies indicating no difference in FAIS between rocuronium and succinylcholine, although the median dose of rocuronium used in this study was higher than traditionally recommended. Larger prospective studies are warranted to further evaluate the effect of weight‐based paralytic dosing on FAIS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tracheal intubation may cause significant hemodynamic responses. Many drugs have been shown to be effective in modifying these cardiovascular responses, including remifentanil, fentanyl, sufentanil, and alfentanil. However, the 90% effect-site concentration (EC90) of remifentanil required to control cardiovascular responses to tracheal intubation when combined with ciprofol remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the EC90 of remifentanil inhibiting cardiovascular responses to tracheal intubation during anesthesia induction with ciprofol using biased-coin design up-and-down sequential method (BC-UDM). Methods: This is a prospective sequential allocation dose-finding study. American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (ASA) I–II elective surgical patients receiving target-controlled infusion (TCI) of remifentanil effect-site concentration (Ce), followed by ciprofol and rocuronium for anesthesia, were enrolled. The cardiovascular response to tracheal intubation was defined as positive when mean arterial pressure (MAP) or heart rate (HR) is 15% higher than the baseline value. Using the BC-UDM, the Ce of remifentanil was determined based on the cardiovascular response to tracheal intubation of the previous patient. The EC90 and 90% confidence intervals (90% CIs) were estimated by R-Foundation centered isotonic regression and the pooled adjacent violators algorithm with bootstrapping. Discussion: The results of this study sought to demonstrate EC90 of remifentanil blunting sympathetic responses to tracheal intubation during anesthesia index (Ai)-guided ciprofol anesthesia using BCD-UDM. It may help to minimize the cardiovascular responses to tracheal intubation. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2300078275. Registered on December 3, 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Securing the airway in the emergency department (ED) is a high-stakes procedure; however, the primary success and complication rate are largely unknown in Germany. The aim of this study was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected resuscitation room data for endotracheal intubation (ETI) regarding indications, performance and complications. Method: Between 1 January 2020 and 30 June 2023 all ETIs conducted in the ED (Kliniken Maria Hilf, Moenchengladbach, Germany) were analyzed following approval by the ethics committee (EK 23-369). Primary intubations performed by the anesthesiology department were excluded. The core medical team of the ED underwent a six-week training program including a two-week anesthesia rotation prior to performing ETI in the ED. There were standard operating procedures (SOP) for both rapid sequence induction (RSI) and airway exchange with a placed laryngeal tube (LT) utilizing video laryngoscopy (C-Mac, Storz), rocuronium for relaxation and primary intubation with an elastic bougie. The primary success rate, overall success rate and intubation-related complications were analyzed. Additionally, the factor of consultant ED staff and residents was evaluated with respect to the primary success rate. Results: During the study period 499 patients were intubated by the core ED team and 28 patients underwent airway exchange from LT to ETI. Primary success could be achieved in 489/499 (98.0%) ETI and in 25/28 (89.3%) LT exchange patients. Surgically achieved securing of the airway was carried out in 5/527 (0.9%) patients in a cannot intubate situation and 11/527 (2.2%) patients suffered cardiac arrest minutes after the ETI. The overall first pass success rate of endotracheal tube placement was 514/527 (97.4%). The comparison of the primary success of consultants (168/175; 96.0%) vs. residents 320/325 (98.5%) yielded no significant differences (p = 0.08). Conclusion: In clinical acute and emergency medicine, a standardized approach utilizing video laryngoscopy and a bougie following a structured training concept, can achieve an above-average high primary success rate with simultaneous low severe complications in the high-risk collective of critically ill emergency patients in an intrahospital setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with neurologic injuries often receive neuromuscular blocking agents to facilitate airway management. The urgent nature of intubation may result in paralytic administration prior to neurologic examination, delaying clinical assessment, prognostication, and surgical interventions. Objective: In October 2018, an institutional guideline was implemented to extend institutional sugammadex use to include patients with uncertain neurologic examinations with recent rocuronium administration. The guideline allowed for a dose range of 2 mg/kg to 16 mg/kg. The objective of this continuous quality improvement project was to describe the use of sugammadex after implementation of an institutional guideline. Methods: Patient records between October 2018 and March 2020 were reviewed for guideline adherence and outcomes. Information assessed included patient weight, injury mechanism, the dosage and timing of rocuronium and sugammadex administration, and neurologic examination findings. Descriptive statistics were used to assess outcomes. Results: During the study period, eleven patients received sugammadex to facilitate neurologic examinations. The most common dose of sugammadex was 4 mg/kg with a mean total dose of 498.4 ± 333.5 mg. The mean time between rocuronium and sugammadex administration was 73.9 ± 41 minutes. Most patients (72.7%) had definitive changes in neurologic examination after sugammadex administration. Five patients had neurosurgical interventions offered and performed, with 1 of the patients surviving. Conclusions: This case series suggests that sugammadex is useful for reversing rocuronium induced paralysis to facilitate neurologic examination needed to determine management strategies for patients with a neurologic injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prolong effects of non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents after rapid sequence intubation may prevent meaningful neurological examination, delaying appropriate diagnosis and neurosurgical intervention. Sugammadex is indicated for the reversal of neuromuscular blockade induced by rocuronium. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate low- (2 mg/kg) vs standard-dose (4 mg/kg) sugammadex for rocuronium-induced deep neuromuscular blockade reversal in the emergency department (ED) by achieving a post-treatment train-of-four (TOF) of 4 to facilitate neurological examination. Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective, cohort study evaluating low-vs standard-dose sugammadex for neuromuscular blockade reversal in the ED. Results: 34 patients were identified within the designated time period, 24 of which were included in the final analysis ([n = 9 low-dose], [n = 15 standard-dose]). Median sugammadex doses were 2.3 mg/kg and 4.1 mg/kg for low- and standard-dose, respectively. The majority of patients presented for intraparenchymal hemorrhage (54.2%). No significant difference in success rate of NMBA reversal was found between low- and standard-dose sugammadex ([100.0% vs 93.3%], P = 1.000). A total of 9 patients had a neurosurgical procedure performed after sugammadex administration. Low-dose sugammadex was associated with significantly less acquisition cost compared to the standard dose (P <.001). Conclusion: Low- (2 mg/kg) and standard-dose (4 mg/kg) sugammadex successfully reversed rocuronium-induced deep neuromuscular blockade in the ED by achieving a post-treatment TOF of 4 to facilitate neurologic examination. Low-dose sugammadex may be a viable option for deep NMBA reversal in the ED and is associated with decreased institutional cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Opioid-induced rigidity is typically observed during rapid administration of fentanyl. Herein, we present a case in which rigidity occurred after reversal of rocuronium during emergence from anesthesia. Case presentation: A 73-year-old man underwent video-assisted partial lung resection. General anesthesia was induced with propofol, remimazolam, remifentanil, and rocuronium. Fentanyl was administered early during anesthesia. The surgery was completed without complications, and sugammadex sodium was administered for rocuronium reversal. The patient became agitated, but spontaneous breathing was maintained; therefore, the intratracheal tube was removed after the administration of flumazenil. The patient developed stiffness in the neck and jaw muscles along with remarkable skeletal muscle contractions. Dramatic improvement was observed immediately after administration of naloxone. Conclusions: Even as the simulated effect site concentration of fentanyl decreases during anesthesia emergence, opioid-induced rigidity may still occur. Rapid reversal of remimazolam by flumazenil might have contributed to the rigidity in this case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Carcinoid tumors are rare neuroendocrine malignancies presenting in an increasing number in our center. The incidence of carcinoid tumors is approximatively between 2.5 and 5 cases per 100,000 people of whom about 50% develop carcinoid syndrome. Once the carcinoid syndrome has developed, a carcinoid cardiomyopathy can occur. Carcinoid heart disease (CaHD) remains a serious and rare complication associated with a significant increase in morbidity and mortality. Although carcinoid tumors have been known and studied for several years, there are still scarce data on the anesthetic management and the peri operative period. Case presentation: We describe a case of a Caucasian 44-year-old woman with an unusual presentation of left CaHD with an ileal neuroendocrine tumor and liver metastases. Our preoperative somatostatin administration protocol, limit the cardiac damage. The maintenance of stable hemodynamics, the use of balanced anesthetic technique, all along with a good understanding of the pathology, played a major role in the successful management of anesthesia. This case report allows us to introduce our decision algorithm for the management of this type of pathology in our tertiary hospital, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc. Conclusion: Despite the paucity of data, anesthetic management of patients with carcinoid tumor can be safely performed with effective hemodynamic monitoring and a good understanding of the pathophysiology. Knowledge and application of a clear institutional algorithm for octreotide administration and multidisciplinary consultation at a referral center are essential for the management of these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim & Objective: The aim of this study was designed to compare the effect on Intraocular Pressure of Rocuronium with that of Succinylcholine during Rapid Sequence Induction of anaesthesia using Propofol and Fentanyl. Methodology: This was a sequential controlled study. The study was conducted at Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Hyderabad, Telangana. Patients were allocated sequentially to one of two groups (n20 in each group) to receive Succinylcholine (group S) and Rocuronium (group R). All patients were medicated with Tab Alprazolam 0.5 mg orally night before surgery. Preoxygenation was done for 3 min, Anaesthesia was induced with Inj Fentanyl 2 mcg/kg and a sleep dose of Propofol given at a rate of 100 mg /min until loss of verbal response. Results: There was no significant difference between groups in Age, Sex, Weight, Propofol dose, Baseline IOP, Baseline MAP or Baseline HR. The difference in the changes in IOP between the Succinylcholine and Rocuronium groups was highly significant (P=0.001). Conclusion: To conclude Rocuronium bromide in a dose of 1 mg/kg Provides Good to Excellent intubating conditions comparable to that of Succinylcholine. It is a suitable agent for tracheal intubation in patients undergoing elective and emergency ophthalmic surgery where raise in intraocular pressure is undesirable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate chemical stability and physical compatibility when combining fentanyl, rocuronium, and atropine in a fixed ratio to support intramuscular drug delivery during fetal intervention and surgery. Methods: A highly concentrated combination of fentanyl, rocuronium, and atropine was created based on common prescribing practices at a maternal-fetal care center. Chemical stability testing was completed using liquid chromatograph mass spectrometry-mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS) to detect and quantitate atropine, rocuronium, and fentanyl, with fentanyl-d5 being an internal standard at 6, 12, 24, and 36 h following sample preparation. Physical compatibility testing was completed using United States Pharmacopeia (USP) <788> recommended analytical technique of light obscuration in addition to novel backgrounded membrane imaging at 6 and 24 h following sample preparation. Physical compatibility was determined using USP <788> particle count limits for both techniques. Results: Based on LC/MS-MS results, the samples retained expected medication concentrations at all time points tested. For physical compatibility testing, the particle counts met criteria to be considered compatible per USP <788> large-volume particle count thresholds at 6 h by both methods but exceeded tolerable thresholds at 24 h. Discussion/Conclusion: The combination of rocuronium, fentanyl, and atropine for intramuscular fetal administration is physically compatible and chemically stable for 6 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 10‐year‐old, neutered male, Golden Retriever dog presented for surgical correction of a descemetocele. Acepromazine (0.02 mg/kg) and methadone (0.5 mg/kg) were administered intramuscularly for sedation, propofol (2 mg/kg) and midazolam (0.2 mg/kg) were administered intravenously for anaesthetic induction and isoflurane in oxygen was utilised for anaesthetic maintenance. Rocuronium (0.5 mg/kg), a neuromuscular blocking agent, was administered intravenously to facilitate central positioning of the eye for surgery. Within 10 min of rocuronium administration, the dog became tachycardic and hypotensive. Hemodynamic aberrations did not resolve with initial interventions but were successfully mitigated with the administration of diphenhydramine (0.8 mg/kg) intravenously. The dog remained stable throughout the remainder of the procedure and experienced a smooth and uneventful recovery. While it is difficult to confirm that the hemodynamic changes observed in this clinical case resulted solely from administration of rocuronium, the observance of the cardiovascular changes, timing of events and response to therapy suggest that rocuronium elicited a histamine response that was successfully treated with diphenhydramine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article in Clinical & Experimental Allergy discusses the importance of protonation status in IgE-mediated mast cell responses to rocuronium. The study found that acidification to pH 6.9 during stimulation may enhance degranulation in low responders but dampen responsiveness in high responders. The research highlights the need for individualized protocols in IgE-mediated drug allergy testing, emphasizing the impact of acidification on mast cell responsiveness to rocuronium under suboptimal protonation conditions. [Extracted from the article]

Understanding the intricate relationship between cancer clinicopathological features and anesthetics dosage is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes and safety during surgery. This retrospective study investigates this relationship in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). A comprehensive analysis of medical records was undertaken for NSCLC patients who underwent VATS with intravenous compound inhalation general anesthesia. Patients were categorized based on histological, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and epidural anesthesia factors. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the differences between the groups. The results revealed compelling insights. Specifically, patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) undergoing VATS exhibited higher dosages of rocuronium bromide and midazolam during general anesthesia, coupled with a shorter post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) stay compared to those with squamous cell carcinoma (sqCL). Furthermore, chemotherapy patients undergoing VATS demonstrated diminished requirements for phenylephrine and remifentanil in contrast to their non-chemotherapy counterparts. Similarly, radiotherapy patients undergoing VATS demonstrated a decreased necessity for rocuronium bromide compared to non-radiotherapy patients. Notably, patients who received epidural anesthesia in combination with general anesthesia manifested reduced hydromorphone requirements and prolonged hospital stays compared to those subjected to general anesthesia alone. In conclusion, the findings from this study indicate several important observations in diverse patient groups undergoing VATS. The higher dosages of rocuronium bromide and midazolam in LUAD patients point to potential differences in drug requirements among varying lung cancer types. Additionally, the observed shorter PACU stay in LUAD patients suggests a potentially expedited recovery process. The reduced anesthetic requirements of phenylephrine and remifentanilin chemotherapy patients indicate distinct responses to anesthesia and pain management. Radiotherapy patients requiring lower doses of rocuronium bromide imply a potential impact of prior radiotherapy on muscle relaxation. Finally, the combination of epidural anesthesia with general anesthesia resulted in reduced hydromorphone requirements and longer hospital stays, suggesting the potential benefits of this combined approach in terms of pain management and postoperative recovery. These findings highlight the importance of tailoring anesthesia strategies for specific patient populations to optimize outcomes in VATS procedures.

Purpose: To determine the effect of tetanic stimulation on the time to achieve stabilization of the T1 height, by acceleromyography train-of-four (TOF) ratio monitoring, in patients aged 60 to 80 years. Methods: Randomized, prospective, single-blind, controlled trial in patients aged 60 to 80 years undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia in two university hospitals in Brazil between December 2019 and March 2022. This trial was performed in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration and the guidelines for good clinical research practice in pharmacodynamic studies of neuromuscular blocking agents II. Participants were randomly allocated by computer-generated numbers to receive tetanic stimulation (intervention group, n = 25) or not receive tetanic stimulation (control group, n = 25) to achieve T1 height stabilization on TOF ratio monitoring. The primary endpoint was to evaluate the effect of tetanic stimulation on the time to achieve stabilization of the T1 height. We also evaluated the effect on the onset time of rocuronium and time to recover from neuromuscular blockade with a single dose of rocuronium 0.6 mg.kg-1 with spontaneous recovery. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in the time to T1 height stabilization (intervention: 4.3 [2.0–8.0] min; control: 5.8 [2.0–10.5] min; p = 0.202), onset time of the neuromuscular blocking agent (intervention: 1.9 [±0.7] min; control: 2.2 [±1.0] min; p = 0.219), or neuromuscular blockade recovery times to normalized TOF values of 0.7 (intervention: 106.1 [±37.2] min; control: 91.7 [±27.5] min; p = 0.295), 0.8 (intervention: 114.3 [±40.1] min; control: 97.8 [±28.9] min; p = 0.225), 0.9 (intervention: 126.5 [±44.0] min; control: 106.9 [±30.6] min; p = 0.153), and 1.0 (intervention: 138.3 [±43.4] min; control: 123.8 [±43.5] min; p = 0.425). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the recommendation to use tetanic stimulation to shorten the time to T1 height stabilization in neuromuscular monitoring did not alter the stabilization time of the T1 twitch or the pharmacodynamics of neuromuscular blockade with rocuronium in patients aged 60 to 80 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of artificial receptors that combine ultrahigh‐affinity binding and controllable release for active guests holds significant importance in biomedical applications. On one hand, a complex with an exceedingly high binding affinity can resist unwanted dissociation induced by dilution effect and complex interferents within physiological environments. On the other hand, stimulus‐responsive release of the guest is essential for precisely activating its function. In this context, we expanded hydrophobic cavity surface of a hypoxia‐responsive azocalix[4]arene, affording Naph‐SAC4A. This modification significantly enhanced its aqueous binding affinity to 1013 M−1, akin to the naturally occurring strongest recognition pair, biotin/(strept−)avidin. Consequently, Naph‐SAC4A emerges as the first artificial receptor to simultaneously integrate ultrahigh recognition affinity and actively controllable release. The markedly enhanced affinity not only improved Naph‐SAC4A′s sensitivity in detecting rocuronium bromide in serum, but also refined the precision of hypoxia‐responsive doxorubicin delivery at the cellular level, demonstrating its immense potential for diverse practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed a system to adjust the rate of a continuous rocuronium (Rb) infusion to achieve 3 ≤ %T1 ≤ 10 with a closed-loop control. Samples were collected from 15 patients, and Rb blood concentrations were measured at the following time points: (1) when %T1 recovered to 3% or more after the initial Rb infusion; (2) when %T1 stabilized within the target range; (3) at the cessation of the Rb infusion; (4) 5 min after the sugammadex administration. The predicted Rb blood concentration at each time point was calculated and recorded using the pharmacokinetic parameters of Weirda et al. At time points (1), (2), and (3), the predicted blood concentrations were in good agreement with the measured values, but after the administration of sugammadex, the blood concentrations were higher than the predicted values because the Rb distributed in the tissues migrated into the blood. From the above, it was confirmed that the predicted blood concentration of Rb can be a good indicator for the automatic Rb administration control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Louisiana pine snakes (Pituophis ruthveni) are a threatened species with a range limited to portions of Louisiana and Texas. There are captive reproduction programs that aim to assist in the recovery of this species. Therefore, obtaining information that can aid in maintaining their health, such as a complete ocular examination, is a critical component in conservation efforts. Examination of the snake ocular posterior segment is challenging because of the presence of striated uveal musculature that is unresponsive to anticholinergic agents, and the presence of the spectacle, which may create a barrier to topical mydriatics. The objectives of this study were to document normal ocular biometric measurements (axial globe length [AP], lens thickness (LT), and vitreous chamber depth [VCD]) in this species using ultrasonography (US) and to assess the effects of topically applied rocuronium bromide (RB) solution (one- and two-drop protocol, 20 μl and 40 μl, respectively) to facilitate noninvasive examination of the fundus. The ocular biometric measurements were then correlated to morphometric data including snout–vent length (SVL), tail length (TL), total body length (SVL + TL), sex, and body condition score (BCS). We found that US, using an 8–18-MHz linear array probe, provided adequate image quality to measure the above parameters in all snakes (n = 8), and that there were no significant correlations between the morphometric data and ocular biometric US measurements (P > 0.05). RB solution applied topically to the healthy, intact spectacle did not induce mydriasis in a subset of this same population (n = 6; P > 0.05) using either the one- or two-drop protocol. In conclusion, ocular US can be utilized as a noninvasive diagnostic tool in Louisiana pine snakes and further studies are needed to evaluate noninvasive methods of inducing mydriasis in this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The experience and perception of pain may vary among individuals. This prospective cohort study aimed to determine the impact of injection pain/withdrawal movement of propofol and rocuronium in the induction of anaesthesia on postoperative pain outcomes in gynaecological laparoscopic surgery. Methods: A total of 100 patients aged 19-60 years received propofol and rocuronium injections for the induction of anaesthesia. The incidence of propofol injection pain (PIP) and rocuronium-induced withdrawal movement (RIWM), postoperative pain scores and total opioid consumption were evaluated, and the associations between PIP/RIWM and postoperative pain outcomes were determined. Results: Visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain after surgery and total opioid consumption after surgery were significantly higher in patients with PIP or RIWM than in patients without PIP or RIWM. The correlations of PIP/RIWM with VAS at 1 h, VAS at 24 h and total opioid consumption were significant and weakly positive (r = 0.249, r = 0.234, r = 0.22 and r = 0.234, respectively). The RIWM correlated more positively with pain score compared to PIP at 1 h (r = 0.408 vs. r = 0.234), PIP at 24 h (r = 0.398 vs. r = 0.227) and with total opioid consumption for 48 h after surgery (r = 0.457 vs. r = 0.234). Conclusion: During anaesthesia induction, the occurrence of PIP and RIWM may predict the severity of postoperative pain and total opioid consumption, with RIWM emerging as a stronger predictor than PIP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid sequence intubation (RSI) is frequently performed by emergency medical services (EMS). We investigated the relationship between succinylcholine and rocuronium use and time until first laryngoscopy attempt, first-pass success, and Cormack-Lehane (CL) grades. We included adult patients for whom prehospital RSI was attempted from July 2015 through June 2022 in a retrospective, observational study with pre-post analysis. Timing was verified using recorded defibrillator audio in addition to review of continuous ECG, pulse oximetry, and end-tidal carbon dioxide waveforms. Our primary exposure was neuromuscular blocking agent (NMBA) used, either rocuronium or succinylcholine. Our prespecified primary outcome was the first attempt Cormack-Lehane view. Key secondary outcomes were first laryngoscopy attempt success rate, timing from NMBA administration to first attempt, number of attempts, and hypoxemic events. Of 5,179 patients in the EMS airway registry, 1,475 adults received an NMBA while not in cardiac arrest. Cormack-Lehane grades for succinylcholine and rocuronium were similar: grade I (64%, 59% [95% CI 0.64–1.09]), grade II (16%, 21%), grade III (18%, 16%), grade IV (3%, 3%). The median interval from NMBA administration to start of the first attempt was 57 s for succinylcholine and 83 s for rocuronium (mean difference 28 [95% CI 20–36] seconds). First attempt success was 84% for succinylcholine and 83% for rocuronium. Hypoxemic events were present in 25% of succinylcholine cases and 23% of rocuronium cases. Prehospital use of either rocuronium or succinylcholine is associated with similar Cormack-Lehane grades, first-pass success rates, and rates of peri-intubation hypoxemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evaluation of a morphine concentration in postmortem blood is routine for a forensic toxicologist. We here report three fatal cases where we found high morphine concentrations with 7.96, 4.30, and 5.82 mg/l in femoral blood that have to be estimated as unusually high. All these individuals died due to severe burn injuries and obtained morphine in the context of their palliative care in the last hours of their lives. According to the autopsy results, the cause of death in case 1 was burn disease with burns of about 90% of the body surface area (BSA), case 2 burn trauma, and case 3 burn shock. Besides morphine, propofol, fentanyl, sufentanil, midazolam, diazepam, lorazepam, cefazolin, and rocuronium were detected in femoral blood. The findings fitted well with the detailed clinical documentation. Further evidence of therapeutic concentrations of quetiapine, duloxetine, and melperone could be matched to preexisting medication of the individuals. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modelling (PBPK) was applied, developed for the intravenous administration of morphine, to find an explanation for the high morphine concentrations in femoral blood. Quantification of morphine in body fluids and tissue was performed to calculate morphine tissue concentration ratios to the morphine concentration in femoral blood. The presented cases show that pharmacokinetic simulations can reflect decreased renal clearance and decreased hepatic metabolism in general. However, this prediction is not sufficient to explain the high morphine concentrations in femoral blood measured here. It can be assumed that burn shock in particular leads to altered pharmacokinetics, namely decreased distribution of morphine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: We hypothesized that perioperative fibrinogen level, platelet count, and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) data values decrease in proportion to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, particularly in patients who underwent deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA). Methods: A total of 160 patients were enrolled and divided into the following three groups depending on CPB time: <2-h, 2– 3-h, and >3-h groups. Blood samples were obtained during CPB weaning. Platelet count, ROTEM data, fibrinogen level, and antithrombin level were determined. For propensity matching, we selected 15 patients who underwent DHCA and 15 patients who did not undergo DHCA and used propensity scores to match CPB time and other characteristics. Results: The <2-h, 2–3-h, and >3-h groups included 74, 63, and 23 patients, respectively. No significant differences in platelet count and fibrinogen level were observed between the groups. Antithrombin level and amplitude of clot firmness at 10 min in the EXTEM and FIBTEM tests were lowest in the >3-h group. Similarly, blood loss volume and transfusion volume were highest in the >3-h group. Significant differences in platelet count, ROTEM data, lowest esophageal and bladder temperatures, and transfusion volume were observed between patients who underwent DHCA and patients who did not undergo DHCA. Conclusions: The longer the CPB time, the greater the perioperative blood loss volume and transfusion volume, particularly if CPB time is greater than 3 hours. Sub-group analysis revealed that DHCA affects perioperative platelet count and function as well as blood loss volume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remimazolam's ultrashort-acting properties, including reduced injection discomfort, minimal impact on respiratory and cardiovascular functions and rapid metabolism, have garnered significant attention in the field of anesthesia. However, despite its widespread acclaim, we encountered an unusual case in which a patient without hepatic or renal impairment experienced unexpected delays in regaining consciousness following a single intravenous induction dose of remimazolam. The patient, a 63-yearold undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallbladder stones, had preoperative tests revealing atrial fibrillation and a reduced ejection fraction observed in an echocardiogram. Anesthesia induction included the administration of remimazolam (0.3 mg/kg), sufentanil and rocuronium. The surgery proceeded uneventfully and was maintained with desflurane and sufentanil. However, after the surgery, the patient experienced delayed emergence from anesthesia. Opioid overdose was ruled out, and we suspected a metabolic delay associated with remimazolam. In response to this suspicion, we administered flumazenil, which promptly restored consciousness and normal breathing. Subsequent post-anesthetic observation revealed no complications, and the patient was discharged two days after surgery. This case highlights the significant delayed emergence phenomenon linked to remimazolam, even when administered as a bolus. Instances of delayed emergence following remimazolam administration underscore the complexities in anesthesia responses, emphasizing the importance of vigilant clinical monitoring and the need for ongoing research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To compare the genotoxic effects of desflurane and propofol using comet assay in patients undergoing elective discectomy surgery. Methods: This was a randomized controlled study. Patients who underwent elective lumbar discectomy under general anesthesia with propofol or desflurane were included in the study. Venous blood samples were obtained at 4 different time points: 5 minutes before anesthesia induction (T1), 2 hours after the start of anesthesia (T2), the first day after surgery (T3), and the fifth day following surgery (T4). Deoxyribonucleic acid damage in lymphocytes was assessed via the comet assay. Results: A total of 30 patients, 15 in each group, were included in the analysis. The groups were similar in terms of age and gender distribution. There were no significant differences in demographics, duration of surgery, total remifentanil consumption, and total rocuronium bromide consumption. The comet assay revealed that head length, head intensity, tail intensity, tail moment at T1 were similar in the desflurane and propofol groups. Head length, tail length and tail moment measured in the desflurane group at T4 were significantly higher compared to the propofol group. Tail lengths of the desflurane group at T1, T2 and T3 were significantly higher than the corresponding values in the propofol group. Conclusion: Propofol and desflurane do not appear to induce DNA damage in lymphocytes. However, when the quantitative data were compared, it was determined that propofol had relatively lower genotoxic potential than desflurane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The binding affinity of pillar[6]MaxQ toward a panel of neuromuscular blockers and neurotransmitters was measured in phosphate buffered saline by isothermal titration calorimetry and 1H NMR spectroscopy. In vivo efficacy studies showed that P6MQ sequesters rocuronium and vecuronium and reverses their influence on the recovery of the train-of-four (TOF) ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Inadequate postintubation sedation (PIS) can lead to unplanned extubations, conscious paralysis, and overall unsafe care of patients. From 2018 to 2020, we realized at our hospital that -25% of children received sedation in an adequate time frame in the pediatric emergency department, with 2 unplanned dislodgements of the endotracheal tube. Our objective was to reduce time to initiating PIS from a mean of 39 minutes to less than 15 minutes in our pediatric emergency department by September 2021. Methods: A multidisciplinary team was formed in March 2020 to develop a key driver diagram and a protocol to standardize PIS. Baseline data were obtained from December 2017 through March 2020. The primary measure was time from intubation to administration of first sedation medication. Plan-do-study-act cycles informed interventions for protocol development, awareness, education, order set development, and PIS checklist. The secondary measure was unplanned extubations and the balancing measure was PIS-related hypotension requiring pressors. An X-bar and S chart were used to analyze data. Results: Protocol implementation was associated with decrease in mean time to PIS from 39 minutes to 21 minutes. Following educational interventions, order set implementation, and the addition of PIS plan to the intubation checklist, there was a decrease in mean time to PIS to 13 minutes, which was sustained for 9 months without any observed episodes of PIS-related hypotension or unplanned extubations. Conclusions: Quality improvement methodology led to a sustained reduction in time to initiation of PIS in a pediatric emergency department. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Postoperative pain is a major issue with subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillators (S-ICD). In 2020, we introduced intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) in addition to the conventional, request-based analgesia for postoperative pain control in S-ICD. To determine the effect and safety, we quantitatively assessed the effect of IV-PCA after S-ICD surgery over conventional methods. Methods: During the study period, a total of 113 consecutive patients (age, 50.1 ± 15.5 years: males, 101) underwent a de novo S-ICD implantation under general anesthesia. While the postoperative pain was addressed with either request-based analgesia (by nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs, N = 68, dubbed as "PCA absent") or fentanyl-based IV-PCA in addition to the standard care (N = 45, dubbed as "PCA present"). The degree of postoperative pain from immediately after surgery to 1 week were retrospectively investigated by the numerical rating scale (NRS) divided into four groups at rest and during activity (0: no pain, 1-3: mild pain, 4-6: moderate pain, 7-10: severe pain). Results: Although IV-PCA was removed on Day 1, it was associated with continued better pain control compared to PCA absent group. At rest, the proportion of patients expressing pain (mild or more) was significantly lower in the PCA present group from Day 0 to Day 4. In contrast to at rest, a better pain control continued through the entire study period of 7 days. No serious adverse events were observed. A few patients experienced nausea in both groups and the inter-group difference was not found significant. Conclusion: IV-PCA suppresses postoperative pain in S-ICD without major safety concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rocuronium bromide is a new amino steroidal neuromuscular blocking agent which is structurally related to vecuronium and its onset time and intubating conditions are comparable with succinylcholine and without the undesirable side effects. Aims and Objectives: This study was planned to evaluate the ideal intubating dose of rocuronium bromide by comparing intubating conditions achieved by its different doses of rocuronium bromide and to consider rocuronium as an ideal intubating muscle relaxing agent, in place of succinylcholine chloride for elective long surgeries. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 120 patients who fulfilled the eligibility criteria. These patients were randomized into four groups of 30 each by block randomization technique. Each group received rocuronium bromide 0.6 mg/kg, 0.9 mg/kg, 1.2 mg/kg, and succinylcholine chloride 1 mg/kg, respectively. Results: Out of all the three doses of rocuronium bromide 0.9 mg/kg produced a similar intubating condition as succinylcholine chloride in the dose of 1 mg/kg without undue prolongation of the neuromuscular blockade. Conclusion: Rocuronium bromide can be used as an alternative to succinylcholine as an ideal intubating muscle relaxing agent.

Background: General anesthesia is preferred when prolonged and multiple dental procedures are required in the pediatric population. In children for whom neuromuscular blockers (NMBs) are contraindicated, dental treatments can be performed under deep sedation, but there is an increased risk of respiratory complications such as hypoxia and foreign body aspiration. Case Report: In this case report, due to a rocuronium allergy detected during the preoperative evaluation process, the application of nasal positive pressure ventilation support allowing prolonged deep sedation with complete immobilization was presented. Conclusion: Prolonged deep sedation using a nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask can be used as an alternative to general anesthesia during dental procedures, especially in patients with contraindications to NMBs. This approach can reduce the risk of hypoxia and hypercarbia with ventilatory support while providing total immobility with deep sedation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaesthesia induced with remimazolam and a fentanyl-series opioid can be reversed with flumazenil and naloxone. Concomitant paralysis with rocuronium can facilitate tracheal intubation whilst being reversible with sugammadex. Together, this combination might offer full reversibility of a 'routine' or a 'rapid-sequence' induction anaesthesia. Whether this is useful, or even safe, requires careful evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the usage of sugammadex in emergency departments (EDs) within a large regional health system. Topics include the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients receiving sugammadex, the primary indications for its use (especially for neurological examination post-intubation), and the variation in administration practices between academic and community hospitals.

Anaphylactic reaction during general anaesthesia represents a rare event in clinical practice with a possible fatal outcome. We present a case of a female patient with no prior history of allergic reactions to rocuronium. Shortly after rocuronium administration, she developed the following signs: tachycardia, low blood pressure and bronchospasm. Skin rash and peripheral signs were absent, probably due to previous premedication. Events like this could be potentially fatal if not recognized and treated in time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study compares outcomes after LESS cholecystectomy utilizing epidural versus general anesthesia. Methods: Patients undergoing LESS Cholecystectomy were randomized into receiving epidural or general anesthesia by protocol. Patients used a Visual Analog Scale to rate pain from 0 (no pain) to 10 (severe pain). Data presented as median (mean ± standard deviation). Results: 75 patients underwent LESS cholecystectomy with general anesthesia [32 patients (22% men) after five patients withdrew consent] or epidural anesthesia [23 patients (22% men) after 15 patients withdrew consent]. Respectively, they were of age 38 years (41 ± 15.1) and 47 years (48 ± 13.9), BMI 29 (28 ± 4.9) kg/m2 and 28 (28 ± 3.8) kg/m2, and ASA 2 (2 ± 0.5) and 2 (2 ± 0.3) (p > 0.05 for all). LOS for patients receiving general vs. epidural anesthesia was 72 min (122 ± 104.4) vs. 95 min (113 ± 77.5) (p = 0.25). On POD 0, patients receiving general anesthesia rated pain as 4 (4 ± 2.9) vs. 0 (1 ± 2.2) for epidural anesthesia (p = 0.02). On POD 1, they rated pain as 6 (5 ± 2.3) vs. 6 (6 ± 2.9) (p = 0.68). On POD 6, patients rated pain as 3 (3 ± 2.7) vs. 4 (3 ± 2.2) (p = 1.00). For patient satisfaction with incisional scars for those receiving general vs. epidural anesthesia, patients rated their scars to be 10 (8 ± 3.6) vs. 10 (9 ± 1.2) (p = 0.21). Total costs for the hospital using general vs. epidural anesthesia were found $6,909 (7,167 ± 2,083.8) vs. $6,225 (5,848 ± 1530.1) (p = 0.014), respectively. Patients self-assessed satisfaction on a scale of 1 (worst) to 5 (best) as a 5 (5 ± 0). Conclusions: Patients undergoing LESS cholecystectomy with general vs. epidural anesthesia had similar demographics, LOS, and pain scores. Patients that received epidural anesthesia reported less pain and incurred less cost. Utilization of epidural anesthesia in lieu of general anesthesia for LESS cholecystectomy is safe, reduces pain, and offers potential cost savings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION The goal of rapid sequence intubation is to secure the patients airway smoothly and quickly, minimizing the chances of regurgitation and aspiration of gastric contents. Traditionally succinylcholine chloride has been the neuromuscular blocking drug of choice for use in rapid sequence intubation because of its rapid onset of action and profound relaxation. Succinylcholine chloride remains unsurpassed in providing ideal intubating conditions. However the use of succinylcholine chloride is associated with many side effects like muscle pain, bradycardia, hyperkalaemia and rise in intragastric and intraocular pressure. Rocuronium bromide is the only drug currently available which has the rapidity of onset of action like succinylcholine chloride. Hence the present study was undertaken to compare rocuronium bromide with succinylcholine chloride for use during rapid sequence intubation in adult patients METHODOLOGY The study population consisted of 90 patients aged between 18-60 years posted for various elective surgeries requiring general anaesthesia at Sri Venkateswara Medical College, Tirupati study population was randomly divided into 2 groups with 30 patients in each sub group. 1. Group I: Intubated with succinylcholine chloride 1 mg kg-1 (n = 30) 2. Group II: Intubated with rocuronium bromide 0.9 mg kg-1 (n = 30) Intubating conditions were assessed at 60 seconds based on the scale adopted by Toni Magorian et al. 1993. The haemodynamic parameters in the present study were compared using p-value obtained from student t-test. RESULTS It was noted that succinylcholine chloride 1 mg kg-1 body weight produced excellent intubating conditions in all patients. Rocuronium bromide 0.9 mg kg-1 body weight produced excellent intubating conditions in 96.67% of patients, which was comparable to that of succinylcholine chloride. INTERPETATION AND CONCLUSION Thus, from the present study, it is clear that succinylcholine chloride is the drug of choice for rapid sequence intubation. Rocuronium bromide is a safe alternative to succinylcholine chloride in conditions where succinylcholine chloride is contraindicated and in whom there no anticipated difficult airway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenomena of residual curarisation and recurarisation after the use of long-acting non-depolarising neuromuscular blocking drugs such as tubocurarine and pancuronium were well recognised 60 years ago. But the incidence seemed to decline with the introduction of atracurium and vecuronium. However, recently there have been an increasing number of reports of residual and recurrent neuromuscular block. Some of these reports are a result of inappropriate doses of rocuronium, sugammadex or both, together with inadequate neuromuscular monitoring. We urge clinicians to review their practice to ensure the highest standards of clinical care when using neuromuscular blocking drugs and reversal agents. This includes the use of quantitative neuromuscular monitoring whenever neuromuscular blocking drugs are administered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rocuronium is a major cause of perioperative hypersensitivity (POH). Skin tests (STs) and quantification of specific immunoglobulin E antibodies (sIgEs) can yield incongruent results. In such difficult cases, the basophil activation test (BAT) can be helpful. Here, we evaluated the passive mast cell activation test (pMAT) as a substitute of BAT as part of the diagnostic tests for rocuronium allergy. Sera from patients with a suspected POH reaction potentially related to rocuronium were included. All patients had a complete diagnostic investigation, including STs, quantification of sIgEs to morphine and rocuronium, and BAT. For execution of pMAT, human mast cells were generated from healthy donor peripheral blood CD34+ progenitor cells and sensitised overnight with patient sera. In total, 90 sera were studied: 41 from ST+sIgE+ patients, 13 from ST–sIgE– patients, 20 from ST+sIgE– patients, and 16 from ST–sIgE+ patients. According to BAT results, patients were further allocated into subgroups. Of the 38 BAT+ patients, 25 (66%) showed a positive pMAT as well. Of the 44 BAT– patients, 43 (98%) also showed a negative pMAT. Mast cells that were not passively sensitised did not respond to rocuronium. We show that the pMAT, in many cases, can substitute for BAT in the diagnosis of rocuronium hypersensitivity and advance diagnosis in difficult cases with uncertain ST or sIgE results when BAT is not locally available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effect of esketamine on the dose–effect relationship between remifentanil and the cardiovascular response to endotracheal intubation during target-controlled infusion (TCI) of propofol. Methods: Patients underwent elective gynecological laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation, aged 18–65 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists class I or II, 18 kg/m2 ≤ body mass index ≤ 30 kg/m2, were randomly divided into the control (group C) and esketamine groups (group E). Before anesthesia induction, group E received an intravenous injection of 0.3 mg/kg of esketamine, while group C received an equal dose of physiological saline. TCI of propofol to the effect-site concentration (EC) of 3.0 μg/mL, and then TCI of remifentanil to the effect room and intravenous injection of rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg after MOAA/S was 0. Endotracheal intubation was performed after 2 min. Dixon's modified sequential method was used, and the initial EC of remifentanil was 3.0 ng/mL. The EC of remifentanil was determined according to the intubation response of the previous patient, with an adjacent concentration gradient of 0.3 ng/mL. The EC50 and EC95 values and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined using probit regression analysis. Results: The EC50 for cardiovascular response inhibition to endotracheal intubation using remifentanil was 3.91 ng/mL (95% CI: 3.59–4.33 ng/mL) and EC95 was 4.66 ng/mL (95% CI: 4.27–6.23 ng/mL) with TCI of propofol 3.0 μg/mL. After intravenous administration of 0.3 mg/kg of esketamine, the EC50 of remifentanil was 3.56 ng/mL (95% CI: 3.22–3.99 ng/mL) and EC95 was 4.31 ng/mL (95% CI: 3.91–5.88 ng/mL). Conclusions: Combined with TCI of propofol 3.0 μg/mL for anesthesia induction, esketamine significantly reduced the EC50 and EC95 of remifentanil to inhibit the cardiovascular response to endotracheal intubation. Trial registration: The trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (www.chictr.org.cn; registration number: ChiCTR2200064932; date of registration:24/10/2022). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rocuronium bromide is a new amino steroidal neuromuscular blocking agent which is structurally related to vecuronium and its onset time and intubating conditions are comparable with succinylcholine and without the undesirable side effects. Aims and Objectives: This study was planned to evaluate the ideal intubating dose of rocuronium bromide by comparing intubating conditions achieved by its different doses of rocuronium bromide and to consider rocuronium as an ideal intubating muscle relaxing agent, in place of succinylcholine chloride for elective long surgeries. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 120 patients who fulfilled the eligibility criteria. These patients were randomized into four groups of 30 each by block randomization technique. Each group received rocuronium bromide 0.6 mg/kg, 0.9 mg/kg, 1.2 mg/kg, and succinylcholine chloride 1 mg/kg, respectively. Results: Out of all the three doses of rocuronium bromide 0.9 mg/kg produced a similar intubating condition as succinylcholine chloride in the dose of 1 mg/kg without undue prolongation of the neuromuscular blockade. Conclusion: Rocuronium bromide can be used as an alternative to succinylcholine as an ideal intubating muscle relaxing agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: The analgesia/nociception index (ANI) potentially monitors nociceptive status during anesthesia, but its link to preoperative pain sensitivity is unclear. We investigated the relationship between pre-anesthetic ANI scores and propofol injection pain (PIP) in patients receiving remifentanil. Materials and Methods: This study included 124 male patients aged 19–60 undergoing general anesthesia (ASA class I or II). Patients were randomized to group R (n = 62, remifentanil 4 ng/mL) or group C (n = 62, saline). The primary outcome was the association between PIP and ANI. Secondary outcomes included the incidence and severity of PIP or rocuronium-induced withdrawal movement (RIWM) and their association with ANI. Results: PIP and RIWM incidence and severity were lower in group R than in group C. A weak negative correlation between PIP and ANI at pre-induction (rpb = −0.21, p = 0.02, rpb = −0.37, p < 0.01) and a moderate negative correlation during propofol injection (rpb = −0.48, p = 0.02) were observed. A significant negative correlation was found between RIWM and ANI during rocuronium injection (τb = −0.61, p < 0.01). AUC, cut-off value, specificity, and sensitivity in ANI at pre-induction for predicting PIP were 0.67 (p = 0.02), 59, 76%, and 55%, respectively. AUC, cut-off value, specificity, and sensitivity in ANI during propofol injection for PIP were 0.77 (p < 0.01), 65, 81%, and 67%, respectively. Conclusions: ANI scores demonstrated significant differences between groups, suggesting potential predictive value for PIP despite the low pre-induction AUC value. This study highlights the potential of using ANI scores to predict and manage PIP in patients receiving remifentanil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR), clear surgical field visibility (SFV) is the basis of successful surgery, but the choice of anesthesia maintenance drugs may have different effects on SFV. In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of propofol- and sevoflurane-based general anesthesia on SFV in patients undergoing ARCR. Methods: Patients (n = 130) undergoing elective ARCR in the lateral decubitus position were randomized into either the propofol group or sevoflurane group (65 per group). The duration of surgery and increased pressure irrigation (IPI), Boezaart score, rocuronium consumption and usage of remifentanil were recorded. The time of both spontaneous respiration recovery and extubation and the incidences of postoperative nausea and vomiting and agitation were also recorded. Results: The Boezaart score, duration of IPI and ratio of the duration of IPI to the duration of surgery (IPI/S ratio) were similar between the groups (P > 0.05). Rocuronium consumption, number of patients requiring remifentanil infusion and total remifentanil consumption were significantly lower in the sevoflurane group (P < 0.05). The spontaneous respiration recovery time was significantly longer in the propofol group (P < 0.05), but there were no differences in the extubation time between the groups(P > 0.05). Conclusions: Compared with propofol, sevoflurane provides equally clear SFV while improving the convenience of anesthesia maintenance in ARCR patients with interscalene plexus (ISB) combined with general anesthesia. Trial registration: This single-center, prospective, RCT was retrospective registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry with the registration number ChiCTR2300072110 (02/06/2023). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]