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Sugammadex-Induced Clenching During Neuromuscular Blockade Reversal

A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Study of the Incidence, Severity, and Risk Factors of Clenching Induced by Sugammadex During Neuromuscular Blockade Reversal

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06962007
Enrollment
240
Registered
2025-05-08
Start date
2025-07-01
Completion date
2026-10-14
Last updated
2026-07-07

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Anesthesia, General, Masseter Muscle Spasm, Monitoring, Intraoperative, Neuromuscular Blockade Reversal Agent, Perioperative Complications, Sugammadex

Keywords

sugammadex, mouth clenching, neuromuscular blockade reversal

Brief summary

Study Objective: This study aims to evaluate the incidence, severity, and risk factors of sugammadex-induced mouth clenching during neuromuscular blockade (NMB) reversal in adult surgical patients. Study Design: This prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial enrolls adult patients (ASA physical status I-II, aged 19-70 years) undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia with rocuronium. Patients will be randomized into four groups to receive either sugammadex at doses of 1 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg, or 4 mg/kg, or a combination of pyridostigmine and glycopyrrolate. Primary Outcome: The primary outcome is the incidence of clenching within 10 minutes after NMB reversal, assessed by clinical observation, masseter EMG, and airway pressure changes, using a novel five-grade severity scale. Secondary Outcomes: Secondary outcomes include the severity of clenching, time to TOF ratio ≥0.9, BIS values at clenching onset, complications, and identification of risk factors such as dose, sex, BIS, age, BMI, and rocuronium dose. Significance: This study seeks to improve perioperative safety by identifying modifiable risk factors and informing dose adjustments or alternative reversal strategies to prevent sugammadex-induced clenching, particularly in high-risk populations.

Detailed description

This prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial aims to investigate the incidence, risk factors, and clinical implications of sugammadex-induced clenching during neuromuscular blockade reversal under general anesthesia. Sugammadex, a selective relaxant binding agent, is widely used for the rapid reversal of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade. However, reports of jaw clenching and masseter muscle contraction following sugammadex administration have raised safety concerns, particularly regarding airway management and patient discomfort during emergence from anesthesia. A total of 240 adult patients (ASA physical status I-II, aged 19 to 70 years) scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia with rocuronium will be enrolled. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups in a 1:1:1:1 ratio: sugammadex 1 mg/kg (S1), 2 mg/kg (S2), 4 mg/kg (S4), or pyridostigmine 0.2 mg/kg with glycopyrrolate 0.01 mg/kg (PG) as the control. Clenching events will be assessed within 10 minutes of drug administration using three criteria: visible jaw clenching, increased masseter electromyographic (EMG) activity (\>50 μV for ≥2 seconds), and a rise in airway pressure (\>5 cm H₂O). Severity will be graded using a novel five-level classification system. Secondary outcomes include the severity and timing of clenching, time to train-of-four (TOF) ratio ≥0.9, bispectral index (BIS) value at the time of clenching onset, airway-related complications, and risk factor analysis based on dose, sex, BIS, age, BMI, and total rocuronium dose. This study hypothesizes a dose-dependent increase in clenching with higher doses of sugammadex, potentially with a higher incidence in female patients and those with higher BIS values at reversal."

Interventions

DRUGSugammadex 1 mg/kg Group

Participants receive 1 mg/kg of sugammadex intravenously for reversal of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade.

DRUGSugammadex 2 mg/kg Group

Participants receive 2 mg/kg of sugammadex intravenously for reversal of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade.

DRUGSugammadex 4 mg/kg Group

Participants receive 4 mg/kg of sugammadex intravenously for reversal of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade.

DRUGPyridostigmine/Glycopyrrolate Group

Participants receive pyridostigmine 0.2 mg/kg and glycopyrrolate 0.01 mg/kg intravenously for reversal of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade.

Sponsors

Wonkwang University Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Intervention model description

The study is not a safety/efficacy verification aimed at drug approval, but a mechanism/dose-related study to evaluate the dose-response and adverse event rate of already approved drugs.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
19 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Eligible participants are adults aged 19-70 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-II, undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia with rocuronium.

Exclusion criteria

*

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Incidence of Mouth Clenching After Neuromuscular Blockade ReversalWithin 10 minutes after administration of neuromuscular blockade reversal agentClenching is defined as any of the following occurring within 10 minutes after administration of neuromuscular blockade reversal agents: (1) visible jaw clenching observed by the anesthesiologist, (2) masseter muscle electromyography (EMG) activity greater than 50 μV sustained for ≥2 seconds, or (3) airway pressure increase \>5 cm H₂O.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Severity of Mouth ClenchingWithin 10 minutes after reversal agent administrationGraded using a novel five-grade severity scale based on degree of jaw closure, EMG intensity, airway pressure, and need for intervention.
Time to Recovery of Train-of-Four (TOF) Ratio ≥0.9Up to 10 minutes after administrationMeasured using peripheral nerve stimulator; defined as time from reversal agent injection to TOF ratio ≥0.9.
Bispectral Index (BIS) at Clenching OnsetAt time of clenching event, within 10 minutes post-reversalBIS value recorded at the time clenching is first detected.
Peak Airway PressureWithin 10 minutes post-reversalMaximum airway pressure measured within 10 minutes after administration of reversal agent.
Incidence of Clenching-Related ComplicationsWithin 10 minutes post-reversalIncidents such as bite injury, airway obstruction, or need for additional airway intervention during or after reversal.

Countries

South Korea

Contacts

CONTACTCheol Lee, MD, PhD
ironyii70@gmail.com82-10-6613-1252
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORCheolhyeong Lee, MD

Wonkwang University Hospital

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Jul 8, 2026