Remifentanil Without Muscle Relaxant for Thoracotomy (NCT02030808) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedPhase 2
Remifentanil Without Muscle Relaxant for Thoracotomy
Saudi Arabia66 participantsStarted 2014-01
Plain-language summary
Although the administration of muscle relaxation is essential standard of care for thoracic procedures, it could cause long-reversal times and postoperative residual curarization (PORC) increasing length of post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) stay and hospital costs. Sugammadex offers new perspectives to reduce the incidence of PORC. Unfortunately it is not available in many countries because of its significantly high cost. We hypothesized that the use of target-controlled remifentanil infusion (TCI) with the non-muscle relaxant (NMR) would be associated with comparable surgical conditions and reduced total costs compared with the use of neuromuscular blockers during thoracotomy.
After ethical approval, 66 patients scheduled for elective thoracotomy under sevoflurane anesthesia with TCI remifentanil will be included in this prospective, randomized, single-blind, controlled study.
Patients will be randomly assigned to receive cisatracurium or saline (n = 33 for each group) throughout the procedure. Laryngoscopy and intubating conditions, intraoperative modified thoracic surgery rating scale (Table below), incidence of light anesthesia, and use of vasopressors and anesthetics, clinical recovery, incidence of PORC, PACU and hospital stays, and total costs will be recorded.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 70 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* American Society of Anesthesiologists physical class (II-III)
* elective open thoracotomy
Exclusion Criteria:
* New York Heart Association class\> II)
* Forced vital capacity \< 50% of the predicted values
* Forced expiratory volume in 1 second \< 50% of the predicted values
* Hepatic diseases
* Renal diseases.
* Reactive airways.
* Neuromuscular diseases.
* Asthma
* Pregnancy
* Increased risk of regurgitation
* Anticipated difficult intubation
* Body mass index \>35 kg/m2
* Electrolytes abnormalities
* Acid base abnormalities
* Repeat surgery
* history of head and neck surgery
* Preoperative circulatory support
* Preoperative ventilatory support
* Medications affecting the neuromuscular junctions
* Family history of malignant hyperthermia
* Allergy to any of the study drugs
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.