Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41181982›Full record

SynthesisJournal of perioperative practice2026

Comparing sugammadex to neostigmine and their effects on delirium and postoperative cognitive function: A systematic review.

Andrew Slowgrove, Celeste Ng, Alexandra Tebbett

Abstract readSystematic ReviewComparative Study
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of perioperative practice, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Andrew SlowgroveWarwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.ORCID 0009-0004-2876-822X
Celeste NgWarwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.ORCID 0009-0001-8506-6433
Alexandra TebbettWarwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.ORCID 0000-0003-3753-0411

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSugammadex is a relatively new therapeutic agent that reverses neuromuscular blockade. Compared to neostigmine, it is hypothesised that sugammadex could have a beneficial effect on postoperative cognitive function, benefitting postoperative recovery.

objectiveTo compare the effects of both sugammadex and neostigmine on delirium and postoperative cognitive dysfunction.

methodsA systematic search of all relevant randomised controlled trials and observational cohort studies was performed in October 2024, utilising the following inclusion criteria: incidence of delirium and postoperative cognitive dysfunction following administration of neostigmine or sugammadex, adult patients, patients given rocuronium or vecuronium, English language studies, papers since the introduction of sugammadex (2008). CASP and Cochrane risk-of-bias tools were utilised for study appraisal, with a narrative synthesis of the results.

resultsFive studies, reporting interventions in 49,910 patients, met the review criteria and were included. Of these, four showed no difference in cognitive function between sugammadex and neostigmine. One cohort study of 21 patients showed favourable outcomes postoperatively in the sugammadex group.

conclusionThis systematic review suggests the possibility of a very limited neurological protective role of sugammadex compared to neostigmine, but no clinical significance was reported. Only a limited number of studies were available, suggesting the need for further research.

Indexed as

CognitionDeliriumNeostigminePostoperative Cognitive ComplicationsPostoperative ComplicationsSugammadexAdultAgedCholinesterase InhibitorsFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedNeuromuscular BlockadeCholinesterase InhibitorsNeostigmineSugammadexAnaestheticsDeliriumManagement and careNeostigminePharmacologyPost-anaesthetic carePostoperative cognitive functionRocuroniumSugammadexVecuronium

Identifiers

PMID41181982
PMCPMC13087162

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.