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Neuromuscular Blockade Reversal AgentNCT06962007

Sugammadex-Induced Clenching During Neuromuscular Blockade Reversal

A study testing Sugammadex 1 mg/kg Group, Sugammadex 2 mg/kg Group and Sugammadex 4 mg/kg Group in people with Neuromuscular Blockade Reversal Agent and Perioperative Complications, run by Wonkwang University Hospital at 1 site in South Korea.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial 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. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 19 to 70 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
What is being tested?
Sugammadex 1 mg/kg Group, Sugammadex 2 mg/kg Group and Sugammadex 4 mg/kg Group
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
240 participants
Where
1 siteSouth Korea
Study dates
1 Jul 2025to 14 Oct 2026
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 19 to 70 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • 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.

Who cannot join

  • Exclusion criteria include neuromuscular disorders, renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min), history of clenching or dental disease, allergy to study drugs, or emergency surgery.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Cheol Lee, MD, PhD contact

82-10-6613-1252

ironyii70@gmail.com

South Korea1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Wonkwang University hospital

    Iksan, Jeonbuk-do, 54538

    Cheolhyeong LEE, MD, 82-10-7736-9397, Leecheolhyeong@gmail.com

    Recruiting

Other trials in South Korea

About this study

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

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.

Read more

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.

Read the 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."

Being tested
Sugammadex 1 mg/kg Group, Sugammadex 2 mg/kg Group, Sugammadex 4 mg/kg Group, Pyridostigmine/Glycopyrrolate Group
Keywords
sugammadex, mouth clenching, neuromuscular blockade reversal
Medical subject headings
Trismus

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Sugammadex 1 mg/kg GroupDrug

    Also called S1

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

  • Sugammadex 2 mg/kg GroupDrug

    Also called S2

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

  • Sugammadex 4 mg/kg GroupDrug

    Also called S4

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

  • Pyridostigmine/Glycopyrrolate GroupDrug

    Also called PG

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

Study groups in NCT06962007
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Sugammadex 1 mg/kg Group (S1)ExperimentalParticipants receive 1 mg/kg of sugammadex intravenously for reversal of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade.
Receives: Drug: Sugammadex 1 mg/kg Group
Sugammadex 2 mg/kg Group (S2)ExperimentalParticipants receive 2 mg/kg of sugammadex intravenously for reversal of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade.
Receives: Drug: Sugammadex 2 mg/kg Group
Sugammadex 4 mg/kg Group (S4)ExperimentalParticipants receive 4 mg/kg of sugammadex intravenously for reversal of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade.
Receives: Drug: Sugammadex 4 mg/kg Group
Pyridostigmine/Glycopyrrolate Group (PG)Active comparatorParticipants receive pyridostigmine 0.2 mg/kg and glycopyrrolate 0.01 mg/kg intravenously for reversal of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade.
Receives: Drug: Pyridostigmine/Glycopyrrolate Group

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Incidence of Mouth Clenching After Neuromuscular Blockade Reversal

    Clenching 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.

    Measured: Within 10 minutes after administration of neuromuscular blockade reversal agent

Secondary outcomes (5)
  1. Severity of Mouth Clenching

    Graded using a novel five-grade severity scale based on degree of jaw closure, EMG intensity, airway pressure, and need for intervention.

    Measured: Within 10 minutes after reversal agent administration

  2. Time to Recovery of Train-of-Four (TOF) Ratio ≥0.9

    Measured using peripheral nerve stimulator; defined as time from reversal agent injection to TOF ratio ≥0.9.

    Measured: Up to 10 minutes after administration

  3. Bispectral Index (BIS) at Clenching Onset

    BIS value recorded at the time clenching is first detected.

    Measured: At time of clenching event, within 10 minutes post-reversal

  4. Peak Airway Pressure

    Maximum airway pressure measured within 10 minutes after administration of reversal agent.

    Measured: Within 10 minutes post-reversal

  5. Incidence of Clenching-Related Complications

    Incidents such as bite injury, airway obstruction, or need for additional airway intervention during or after reversal.

    Measured: Within 10 minutes post-reversal

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted8 May 2025
  2. Study start1 Jul 2025
  3. Primary completion20 Sep 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completion14 Oct 2026 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
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.
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator
Enrolment
240 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06962007
Sponsor's protocol ID
Wonkwang UH17
Status last verified
Jul 2026
First submitted
27 Apr 2025
Last updated
7 Jul 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: Individual participant data (IPD) that underlie the results reported in this article will be shared, including study protocol, statistical analysis plan, and analytic code.

Publications

  • Hristovska AM, Duch P, Allingstrup M, Afshari A. Efficacy and safety of sugammadex versus neostigmine in reversing neuromuscular blockade in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 Aug 14;8(8):CD012763. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012763.

    PubMed 28806470
  • Naguib M. Sugammadex: another milestone in clinical neuromuscular pharmacology. Anesth Analg. 2007 Mar;104(3):575-81. doi: 10.1213/01.ane.0000244594.63318.fc.

    PubMed 17312211
  • Lee HY, Jung KT. Advantages and pitfalls of clinical application of sugammadex. Anesth Pain Med (Seoul). 2020 Jul 31;15(3):259-268. doi: 10.17085/apm.19099.

    PubMed 33329823
  • Lee S, Chung W. Sugammadex for our little ones: a brief narrative review. Anesth Pain Med (Seoul). 2024 Oct;19(4):269-279. doi: 10.17085/apm.24092. Epub 2024 Oct 31.

    PubMed 39512049
  • Tsur A, Kalansky A. Hypersensitivity associated with sugammadex administration: a systematic review. Anaesthesia. 2014 Nov;69(11):1251-7. doi: 10.1111/anae.12736. Epub 2014 May 22.

    PubMed 24848211

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Sugammadex 1 mg/kg Group, Sugammadex 2 mg/kg Group and Sugammadex 4 mg/kg Group in people with Neuromuscular Blockade Reversal Agent and Perioperative Complications, run by Wonkwang University Hospital at 1 site in South Korea.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in South Korea. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Cheol Lee, MD, PhD (82-10-6613-1252, ironyii70@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Incidence of Mouth Clenching After Neuromuscular Blockade Reversal (time frame: Within 10 minutes after administration of neuromuscular blockade reversal agent). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06962007, which also lists 5 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 7 Jul 2026.

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