An observational study in Gastrointestinal Cancer, Sarcopenia and Neuromuscular Blockade, sponsored by Dr Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital. Completed at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 18 Years to 75 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-04-30.
Sponsored by Dr Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital · Observational
This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the effects of sarcopenia on intraoperative neuromuscular block (NMB) in patients undergoing gastrointestinal cancer surgery. Adult patients scheduled for elective gastrointestinal cancer surgery will be grouped as sarcopenic or non-sarcopenic based on preoperative abdominal CT scans. Neuromuscular block parameters, including onset time, depth, duration, and recovery, will be objectively measured using TOF (Train-of-Four) monitoring. The study seeks to determine whether sarcopenia influences sensitivity to muscle relaxants and to contribute to individualized anesthesia management and patient safety.
Sarcopenia, characterized by the loss of skeletal muscle mass and function, is a significant clinical parameter affecting both prognosis and perioperative management in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer. It may alter the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of anesthetic agents, particularly neuromuscular blocking agents. This prospective observational study will be conducted at Dr. Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital between June 1, 2025, and September 1, 2025.
Adult patients (aged 18 and above) scheduled for elective GI cancer surgery who have undergone preoperative abdominal computed tomography (CT) will be included. Patients with neuromuscular diseases, those on chronic steroid or immunosuppressive therapy, or those with significant organ failure will be excluded. Preoperative CT images at the L3 vertebral level will be evaluated by a radiologist to determine sarcopenia status, and patients will be divided into sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic groups according to established cut-off values.
All patients will receive standard anesthesia monitoring, including TOF (Train-of-Four) neuromuscular monitoring. The study will not alter any treatment protocols. After administration of muscle relaxants during anesthesia induction, neuromuscular block parameters such as onset time, depth, duration, need for reversal agents, and recovery time will be recorded. Demographic data, comorbidities, laboratory findings, type of surgery, and details of muscle relaxant use will also be collected.
The primary objective is to compare intraoperative neuromuscular block parameters between sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic patients. Statistical analysis will be performed using appropriate parametric or non-parametric tests for continuous variables and chi-square tests for categorical variables. The study aims to provide evidence for individualized dosing of muscle relaxants and to improve patient safety in anesthesia practice for GI cancer surgery.
779 studies on the registry are indexed under Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; 231 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 100 is below the median of 197 across 176 observational studies indexed under Gastrointestinal Neoplasms.
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Adult patients aged 18 to 75 years who have been diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancer and are scheduled for elective surgery at Dr. Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital. All participants will have undergone preoperative abdominal CT scans. Both male and female patients meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be eligible for enrollment.
Exclusion Criteria:
Patients with gastrointestinal cancer scheduled for elective surgery who are identified as sarcopenic based on preoperative abdominal CT scans at the L3 vertebral level, according to established cut-off values.
Procedure: Standard Anesthesia Management
Patients with gastrointestinal cancer scheduled for elective surgery who are identified as non-sarcopenic based on preoperative abdominal CT scans at the L3 vertebral level, according to established cut-off values.
Procedure: Standard Anesthesia Management
All patients will receive standard anesthesia care as per institutional protocols. No experimental intervention will be applied.
Onset Time of Neuromuscular Block
Time from administration of the muscle relaxant to achievement of adequate neuromuscular block, measured by Train-of-Four (TOF) monitoring.
Time frame: Intraoperative (from induction until adequate block is achieved)
Depth of Neuromuscular Block (TOF Ratio)
Intraoperative depth of neuromuscular block, continuously monitored using TOF ratio.
Time frame: Intraoperative (from induction to end of surgery)
Duration of Neuromuscular Block
Time from administration of the muscle relaxant to recovery of neuromuscular function (TOF ratio ≥ 0.9).
Time frame: Intraoperative (from muscle relaxant administration to recovery)
Dose and Duration of Reversal Agent
Total dose and time required for the reversal agent to achieve recovery from neuromuscular block.
Time frame: Intraoperative (from administration of reversal agent to recovery)
Plan to share: No — De-identified individual participant data (IPD) will be made available upon reasonable request after publication of the study results.
This study is completed, as verified in Apr 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Dr Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital