Global study highlights hidden pandemic of lung complications
A “hidden pandemic” of lung complications after surgery has been highlighted by an international study led by Australian anaesthetists that has found how a newer muscle relaxant reversal drug can help improve patient recovery.
The findings of the SNaPP Study (Sugammadex, Neostigmine and Postoperative Pulmonary complications), led by the Department of Critical Care, Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne and the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) Clinical Trials Network (CTN) are published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine today (10 June 2026).
Forty-four hospitals and 3500 patients in Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong were involved in the four-year study, which received $2.9 million from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).
The study’s Principal Investigator, specialist anaesthetist Professor Kate Leslie AO, said the study answers one of the most hotly debated questions in anaesthesia:
“Lung complications can increase the need for oxygen after surgery and cause distress to patients. By reversing muscle relaxant drugs more effectively, sugammadex helps patients breathe more deeply and prevents collapse of lung tissue,” she said.
Professor Leslie said the trial findings highlighted a “hidden global pandemic” of lung complications for many patients after surgery.
However, while collapse of lung tissue was common, more serious lung complications such as pneumonia were infrequent. There were also no differences in the need for intensive care treatment or length of hospital stay between the two groups of patients studied.
The SNaPP Study recruited patients aged 40 years and older having abdominal or thoracic surgery.
They received a general anaesthetic for their surgery that included muscle relaxant drugs.
At the end of their surgery, they received either neostigmine (the traditional drug) or sugammadex (a newer drug which is more reliable but also more expensive) to reverse the muscle relaxant.
Professor Leslie explained that quality of life and health expenditure data will be used to determine if sugammadex is cost-effective.
“The study results will have immediate benefits for patients and healthcare systems,” she said.
