Rocuronium Continuous Infusion for Profound Neuromuscular Blockade: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Rocuronium is a muscle relaxant with increased use, because of the binding relation with the reversal agent sugammadex. Its continuous infusion benefits the maintenance of deeper levels of neuromuscular blockade (NMB) ensuring an improved and stable solution for daily surgical anesthesia. This is systematic review on current approaches on rocuronium infusion and monitoring parameters when using rocuronium continuous infusion for profound muscle relaxation (0-2 posttetanic count).

Database search included publications worldwide until February 28, 2019. Main outcomes studied were the amount of rocuronium used, surgical conditions, and time of recovery after standard sugammadex dose. Secondary assessments include methodological features of rocuronium administration and blockade monitoring. Meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effect means difference of surgical conditions, followed by heterogeneity and sensitive analysis.

Eight randomized trials were identified as eligible. Three studies allowed to account that maintenance of profound muscle relaxation a mean difference of 0.251 mg/kg per hour (95% confidence interval = 0.169-0.334) of rocuronium is required, in relation to moderate NMB, significantly improving surgical conditions (mean difference = 0.653, 95% confidence interval = 0.451-0.856, in a 5-point scale, including data from 6 trials). Only 2 studies presented results on reversal after sugammadex; therefore, no significant results were yielded regarding the time required to complete NMB recovery.

Rocuronium continuous infusion for profound neuromuscular blockade presents inherent advantages in terms of maintenance and stability of the paralysis. Further studies should address the methodological approaches and benefits/drawbacks of this approach.Registration number: CRD42018106626.