Sugammadex Reduces PACU Recovery Time after Abdominal Surgery Compared with Neostigmine

Objective This study blindly evaluated sugammadex compared with neostigmine on length of stay in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). Methods Fifty patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy or abdominal wall hernia repair consented to receive either sugammadex (2 mg/kg) or neostigmine (0.07 mg/kg) for the reversal of rocuronium neuromuscular blockade. Reversal agents were administered during surgical closing, and the train of four was measured until a twitch ratio of T4:T1 >= 0.9 was obtained to signify a robust reversal. Postreversal outcomes also were measured during PACU stay. Aldrete scores, pain visual analog scale score, and nausea were measured during the PACU stay. Results Patients receiving sugammadex experienced a shorter PACU stay at the time of discharge than patients receiving neostigmine, by an average of 12 minutes (P < 0.05). Conclusions Sugammadex patients had a significantly shorter PACU stay.