Length of recovery room stay after reversal of rocuronium by sugammadex: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND: Rocuronium is used to facilitate endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Sugammadex has been reported as an alternative to anticholinesterases as it rapidly and safely reverses rocuronium. This study aims to investigate whether sugammadex affects the length of stay (LOS) of the Postanesthesia Care Unit (PACU).METHODS: Medical records of patients who underwent ophthalmic surgeries under general anesthesia at the Chungnam National University Hospital between May and November 2015 were reviewed. After excluding 3 patients with hearing or intellectual impairment, 200 patients were enrolled in the study. Neuromuscular blockade was reversed using either sugammadex (Group B, N.=100) or pyridostigmine (Group R, N.=100). In addition to PACU LOS, patients' age, sex, height, weight, operation time, and body temperature were collected from medical records.RESULTS: The PACU LOS was significantly shorter in Group B (32.1 & PLUSMN;7.6) than in Group R (37.2 & PLUSMN;13.0). The estimated difference in residence time between groups was 5 min (95% confidence interval 2.2 to 9.5 min).CONCLUSIONS: After receiving sugammadex, the patients had a significantly shorter stay in the PACU than after the anticholinesterase pyridostigmine. However, it is possible that the covariates that differed between the two groups affected the study findings, and well-designed prospective studies are required.