Reversal of Neuromuscular Blockade in Thoracic Surgical Patients

The majority of patients undergoing surgery receive neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) in the operating room. Reversal of neuromuscular blockade at the conclusion of a general anesthetic is accomplished with cholinesterase inhibitors (primarily neostigmine). Although these drugs are often effective in enhancing recovery of muscle strength, the onset of effect is often slow (usually 15-30 minutes). More effective neuromuscular reversal agents are needed in clinical practice to enhance surgical and anesthetic management of perioperative patients. A new reversal agent (sugammadex) will likely be approved for clinical use in the United States next year. Unlike neostigmine, sugammadex is effective in providing rapid antagonism of all levels of neuromuscular blockade (typically within 2-4 minutes). The aim of this prospective observational study is to study neuromuscular and clinical recovery in 100 consecutive thoracic surgical patients receiving neostigmine, followed by a 100 consecutive thoracic surgical patients administered sugammadex (after the drug is approved by the FDA). In addition, after data on 100 patients reversed with neostigmine is collected, the data will be analyzed to compare patients with residual block (train-of four \< 0.9) and without residual block (TOF \</= 0.9)