Use of rocuronium and sugammadex for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is associated with reduced duration of chest tube drainage: a propensity score-matched analysis

Background: We investigated the influence of different neuromuscular blocking agents and reversal agents during anaesthesia on early removal of chest tube drainage after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Methods: This retrospective single-centre study included patients who underwent VATS after tracheal intubation under general anaesthesia. Patients received either cisatracurium and neostigmine (n=547) or rocuronium and sugammadex (n=151). Quantitative neuromuscular monitoring was used and one chest tube (size 24 Fr) was inserted. To reduce potential bias, 140 patients from each group were matched by propensity score for sex, age, body mass index and indication for VATS. Primary outcome was duration of chest tube drainage after surgery. Results: Use of rocuronium and sugammadex was associated with a shorter duration of chest tube drainage (2 [1–2] vs 2 [1–3] days; P=0.049) and a 63% reduction in delayed chest tube removal (odds ratio 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.20–0.67; P=0.005). This group also had a lower incidence of postoperative atelectasis (P=0.047) and consolidation (P=0.008). Each 1 h increase in the duration of anaesthesia was associated with a 1.57-fold increase in the delayed removal of the chest tube (95% CI: 1.25–1.96; P=0.005). Conclusions: During general anaesthesia for VATS, compared with cisatracurium and neostigmine, use of rocuronium and sugammadex was associated with a significant decrease in the incidence of postoperative delayed removal of the chest tube, atelectasis, and pulmonary consolidation.