---
title: A Study Comparing the Use of Deep or Standard Neuromuscular Blockade in Combination With Low or Standard Insufflation Pressures in Participants Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (P07982)
nct_id: NCT01728584
overall_status: COMPLETED
phase: PHASE4
sponsor: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
study_type: INTERVENTIONAL
primary_condition: Gallbladder Disease
countries: Germany, Italy
canonical_url: "https://parkinsonspathways.com/agent/trials/NCT01728584.md"
clinicaltrials_gov: "https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01728584"
ct_last_update_post_date: 2018-10-17
last_seen_at: "2026-05-12T06:41:54.585Z"
source: ClinicalTrials.gov (mirrored, no enrichment)
---
# A Study Comparing the Use of Deep or Standard Neuromuscular Blockade in Combination With Low or Standard Insufflation Pressures in Participants Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (P07982)

**Official Title:** Randomized, Controlled, Parallel-Group, Double-Blind Trial to Compare the Use of Deep or Standard Neuromuscular Blockade in Combination With Low or Standard Insufflation Pressures Using a 2x2 Factorial Design in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (Protocol No. MK-8616-076-03 Also Known as SCH 900616, P07982)

**NCT ID:** [NCT01728584](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01728584)

## Key Facts

- **Status:** COMPLETED
- **Phase:** PHASE4
- **Study Type:** INTERVENTIONAL
- **Target Enrollment:** 127
- **Lead Sponsor:** Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
- **Conditions:** Gallbladder Disease
- **Start Date:** 2012-11-28
- **Completion Date:** 2014-04-29
- **CT.gov Last Update:** 2018-10-17

## Brief Summary

The purpose of this pilot study is to compare the use of deep or standard neuromuscular blockade (NMB) in combination with low or standard insufflation pressure in participants undergoing a surgical procedure, laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Insufflation refers to the injection of carbon dioxide into the abdomen during the laparoscopic surgery, to allow visualization of and access to the surgical field. The primary hypothesis of the study is that the use of sustained deep NMB improves the surgeon's overall satisfaction with surgical conditions as compared to standard NMB. The in-patient surgery is performed on Day 1 and the participant remains hospitalized for at least 48 hours following the surgery (or at least 24 hours following the surgery, if local practice does not allow 48 hours of hospitalization post surgery). On Day 8, a follow-up visit/contact including all participants occurs.

## Detailed Description

During procedure, surgeon (who was blinded to random assignment) could request that unblinded anesthetist change the randomized treatment conditions (called a "rescue intervention"), if surgeon considered surgical conditions to be unacceptable. This was to be done systematically as follows: If the participant is on standard NMB, the preferred rescue intervention should be to increase the NMB to a depth of 1-2 PTCs; for such a participant the second option (if participant is also on low insufflation pressure) should be the increase of insufflation pressure by 4 mmHg. If the participant is already on deep NMB, the preferred option should be (if participant is also on low insufflation pressure) the increase of insufflation pressure by 4 mmHg.

## Eligibility

- **Minimum age:** 18 Years
- **Sex:** ALL
- **Healthy Volunteers:** No

```
Inclusion Criteria:

* American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Class 1 or 2 or 3
* Scheduled to undergo an elective in-patient laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedure under general anesthesia with total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) using propofol and remifentanil
* Eligible to undergo rocuronium-induced NMB for endotracheal intubation and maintenance of NMB
* Will recover in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and remain in the hospital for at least 48 hours following the surgical procedure (or at least 24 hours following the surgical procedure, if local practice does not allow 48 hours of hospitalization post surgery)
* Body mass index (BMI) ≤35
* Willing and able to adhere to visit schedules including all required study assessments on Day 3 through 8 (daily pain and medication diary entry)
* For sexually active female participants of child-bearing potential - able to use a medically accepted method of contraception through 7 days after receiving protocol-specified medication

Exclusion criteria:

* Neuromuscular disorders that may affect NMB and/or trial assessments
* Lifetime history of previous abdominal surgery, including laparotomies, Cesarean section, laparoscopic procedures or diagnostic laparoscopies
* Substance abuse or dependence (excluding nicotine) within the past 6 months
* History of a chronic pain condition (requiring continuous/daily pain medication prior to surgery)
* For female participants - lifetime history of a Cesarean section, or has given birth to one or more children within the last year, or is currently pregnant or has the intention to become pregnant between randomization and pregnancy follow-up contact ≥30 days after administration of trial treatments (rocuronium, sugammadex)
* Evidence of acute cholecystitis
* Dialysis-dependency or suspected of having severe renal insufficiency
* Significant hepatic dysfunction that would prevent participation in the trial
* History of or family history of malignant hyperthermia
* Allergy to trial treatments (rocuronium or sugammadex) or their excipients, to opioids/opiates, or other medication used during general anesthesia
* Received or is planned to receive toremifene or fusidic acid within 24 hours before or after receiving rocuronium or sugammadex
* Expected transfer to an Intensive Care Unit after surgery
* Any clinically significant condition or situation, other than the reason for the cholecystectomy that would interfere with the trial evaluations or optimal participation in the trial
* Used any investigational drugs within 30 days of randomization
* Participated in any other clinical trial within 30 days of signing the informed consent form of the current trial
* Participated in any other clinical trial involving any personnel of the investigational or Sponsor staff directly involved with this trial
* Is a family member of any personnel of the investigational or Sponsor staff directly involved with this trial
```

## Arms

- **Standard NMB and Standard Insufflation Pressure** (EXPERIMENTAL) — Treatment condition for this arm is Standard NMB (depth of blockade at a targeted Train of Four \[TOF\] ratio of 10%)/Standard insufflation pressure (starting pressure of 12 mmHg).
- **Standard NMB and Low Insufflation Pressure** (EXPERIMENTAL) — Treatment condition for this arm is Standard NMB (depth of blockade at a targeted TOF ratio of 10%)/Low insufflation pressure (starting pressure of 8 mmHg).
- **Deep NMB and Standard Insufflation Pressure** (EXPERIMENTAL) — Treatment condition for this arm is Deep NMB (depth of blockade of 1-2 PTCs)/Standard insufflation pressure (starting pressure of 12 mmHg).
- **Deep NMB and Low Insufflation Pressure** (EXPERIMENTAL) — Treatment condition for this arm is Deep NMB (depth of blockade of 1-2 PTCs)/Low insufflation pressure (starting pressure of 8 mmHg).

## Interventions

- **Rocuronium** (DRUG) — NMB will be induced by intravenous (IV) administration of a bolus dose of 0.45 mg/kg rocuronium. NMB will be maintained using rocuronium infusion or additional bolus doses as needed for the management of NMB to the targeted depth according to the assigned treatment condition. - Standard NMB - administration of neuromuscular blocking agent (NMBA) titrated to a depth of blockade at a targeted TOF ratio of 10% (range: TOF count 2-3 to TOF ratio of 20%). - Deep NMB - administration of NMBA titrated to a targeted depth of 1-2 Post Tetanic Counts (PTCs) (range: 1-5 PTC).
- **Insufflation** (OTHER) — Insufflation (injection) of carbon dioxide will be used to induce pneumoperitoneum, which is presence of air or gas in the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity.

* Standard insufflation pressure - a starting pressure of 12 mmHg will be used.
* Low insufflation pressure - a starting pressure of 8 mmHg will be used.
- **Sugammadex** (DRUG) — NMB will be reversed with IV administration of 2 or 4 mg/kg sugammadex (depending on the depth of NMB) according to the approved label for sugammadex.

## Primary Outcomes

- **Score on Surgeon's Assessment of Overall Satisfaction With the Surgical Conditions: By Depth of NMB (Standard, Deep) and Insufflation Pressure (Standard, Low)** _(time frame: End of surgery (Day 1))_ — At the end of the procedure the surgeon responds to the following question, using an 11-point scale from 0 (poor, needed intervention) to 10 (excellent): "How satisfied were you overall with the surgical conditions related to anesthesia and pneumoperitoneum during the surgery you just performed?" If at any time the surgeon requests a rescue intervention, the overall assessment of surgical conditions should be rated as 0 (=poor, needed intervention). The surgeon will rate the surgical conditions according to his opinion but if a rescue intervention has been applied, that individual participant will be counted with a score of zero in the analysis.
- **Score on Surgeon's Assessment of Overall Satisfaction With the Surgical Conditions: By Treatment Arm** _(time frame: End of surgery (Day 1))_ — At the end of the procedure the surgeon responds to the following question, using an 11-point scale from 0 (poor, needed intervention) to 10 (excellent): "How satisfied were you overall with the surgical conditions related to anesthesia and pneumoperitoneum during the surgery you just performed?" If at any time the surgeon requests a rescue intervention, the overall assessment of surgical conditions should be rated as 0 (=poor, needed intervention). The surgeon will rate the surgical conditions according to his opinion but if a rescue intervention has been applied, that individual participant will be counted with a score of zero in the analysis.

## Secondary Outcomes

- **Participant's Overall Average Pain Score in the First 24 Hours After Administration of Sugammadex: By Depth of NMB (Standard, Deep) and Insufflation Pressure (Standard, Low)** _(time frame: Up to 24 hours after administration of sugammadex on Day 1)_
- **Participant's Overall Average Pain Score in the First 24 Hours After Administration of Sugammadex: By Treatment Arm** _(time frame: Up to 24 hours after administration of sugammadex on Day 1)_
- **Score on Surgeon's Assessment of Overall Satisfaction With the Visibility of the Surgical Field: By Depth of NMB (Standard, Deep)** _(time frame: End of surgery (Day 1))_
- **Score on Surgeon's Assessment of the Overall Adequacy of Muscle Relaxation During Surgery: By Depth of NMB (Standard, Deep)** _(time frame: End of surgery (Day 1))_
- **Score on Surgeon's Assessment of the Overall Adequacy of Insufflation Pressure During Surgery: By Depth of NMB (Standard, Deep)** _(time frame: End of surgery (Day 1))_
- **Number of Times Participant's Movements or Increased Muscle Tone Interfered With the Surgical Conditions During Laparoscopy: By Depth of NMB (Standard, Deep)** _(time frame: During surgery, approximate duration of 1-2 hours (Day 1))_
- **Score on Surgeon's Assessment of the Effect Participant's Movements During Surgery Had on the Overall Surgical Procedure: By Depth of NMB (Standard, Deep)** _(time frame: End of surgery (Day 1))_
- **Number of Participants With Rescue Actions Performed During Surgery in Order to Improve Insufficient Surgical Conditions: By Treatment Arm** _(time frame: During surgery, approximate duration of 1-2 hours (Day 1))_
- **Participant's Daily Assessment of Overall Pain at Rest During Post Operative Period: By Treatment Arm** _(time frame: Days 2 to 8)_
- **Participant's Daily Assessment of Provoked Pain During Post Operative Period: By Treatment Arm** _(time frame: Days 2 to 8)_
- **Participant's Daily Assessment of Shoulder Pain During Post Operative Period: By Treatment Arm** _(time frame: Days 2 to 8)_
- **Number of Participants Using Pain/Analgesic Medication During Post Operative Period: By Treatment Arm** _(time frame: Up to Day 8)_

## Locations (2)

- Merck Sharp & Dohme GmbH, Haar, Germany
- MSD Italia S.r.l., Rome, Italy

## Recent Field Changes (last 30 days)

- `status.overallStatus` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.primaryCompletionDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.completionDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.lastUpdatePostDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `design.phases` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `design.enrollmentCount` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.criteria` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.minAge` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.sex` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `outcomes.primary` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `outcomes.secondary` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `armsInterventions.arms` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `armsInterventions.interventions` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `sponsor.lead` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `results.hasResults` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `locations.merck sharp & dohme gmbh|haar||germany` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `locations.msd italia s.r.l.|rome||italy` — added _(2026-05-12)_

---

*Canonical: https://parkinsonspathways.com/agent/trials/NCT01728584.md*  
*Source data (authoritative): https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01728584*  
*This page is a raw mirror with no AI summary, no editorial enrichment, and no Parkinson's-specific filtering.*
