Different Reversal Agents in Pediatric Day-case Cancer Surgery

Postoperative residual curarization (PORC)" a residual duration of action of muscle relaxants beyond the end of the operation" in postoperative patients is a succession of the presence of blocked nicotinic receptors. Even in observationally asymptomatic patients, 60-70% of these receptors can be still blocked. PORC can cause delayed recovery, hypoxia, metabolic derangement and rarely death. Cholinesterase inhibitors are traditionally used for reversal of neuromuscular blockade (NMB). Among these agents neostigmine is the most potent and selective one. Cholinesterase inhibitors have multisystemic side effects. Since these agents are not selective to nicotinic receptors and also stimulate the muscarinic system, there can be quite a few serious adverse effects as follows: Bradycardia, QT lengthening, bronchoconstriction, hypersalivation and increased motility. To avoid these effects, concomitant anticholinergic agents, such as atropine or glycopyrolate, are administered to the patient. The incidence of PORC is still high with the prevalence of a train-of-four (TOF) ratio of less than 0.9 found in the postoperative recovery unit. Recent studies have been able to link even low levels of residual paralysis (TOF ratio <0.9) with significant impairment of pharyngeal muscle function, hypoxic ventilatory drive and decreased respiratory function in the immediate postoperative period.

Despite the knowledge of such side effects, and despite the introduction of various new neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA) such as rocuronium or mivacurium over the last 15 years, no significant reduction in the incidence of residual neuromuscular blockade has so far been observable.

Today, sugammadex is an alternative to the decurarization procedure, which was traditionally executed with cholinesterase inhibitors. Sugammadex a γ-cyclodextrin with a high affinity to rocuronium and other aminosteroidal NMBA that allows the rapid and complete reversal of especially rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade, has raised hopes to overcome the problem of residual neuromuscular blockade. Sugammadex is proved to be a safe and superior agent in NMB reversal compared to neostigmine in adults.

PORC and the muscarinic side effects are not anticipated when using sugammadex,.

Also, due to its pharmacodynamic profile, sugammadex, in combination with rocuronium, have the potential to displace succinylcholine as the "gold standard" muscle relaxant for rapid sequence induction.

The rudimentary neuromuscular junction, the variability of fibrin fibers, the differences in drug distribution and body volume in children change their neuromuscular conduction. These factors can cause prolonged recovery and increased risk of PORC. However, there is few studies in the literature concerning sugammadex administration in pediatric patients.