The Effect of Sugammadex Versus Neostigmine on Postoperative Pulmonary Complications

Substantial respiratory morbidity has been associated with postoperative residual paralysis, which is fairly common after general anesthesia involving a neuromuscular blocking agent. Common practice in United States is to reverse neuromuscular blockade with neostigmine at the end of surgery. A new drug with evidence of more complete neuromuscular reversal has been developed, sugammadex. The objective of this study is to determine if a strategy of rocuronium neuromuscular reversal with sugammadex will reduce the proportion of subjects with any postoperative pulmonary complication, compared to neostigmine.