Impact of Sugammadex Versus Neostigmine on Early Postoperative Pulmonary Function

Residual neuromuscular blockade (NMB) after general anesthesia increases the risk of postoperative respiratory complications (atelectasis, pneumonia, re-intubation) and delays pulmonary function recovery. Sugammadex, a γ-cyclodextrin that directly encapsulates rocuronium, reverses NMB rapidly and completely without cholinergic side effects, whereas neostigmine requires co-administration of an antimuscarinic and may leave residual blockade. In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, 240 adult patients (ASA I-III) undergoing elective thoracoscopic lung resection (≤ 1 segment) will be randomized 1:1 to receive sugammadex (2 mg/kg) or neostigmine (0.03 mg/kg) + atropine (0.015 mg/kg) at the end of surgery. The primary endpoint is the percent decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) at 1 hour post-extubation compared to preoperative baseline; a ≥ 5% improvement with sugammadex is hypothesized. Secondary endpoints include FEV₁ at days 1-3, pain scores, opioid consumption, gastrointestinal recovery, quality of recovery (QoR-15), neuromuscular monitoring (TOF ratio), and incidence of postoperative pulmonary and surgical complications.