Effectiveness of Sufentanil‐Based Patient‐Controlled Analgesia Regimen in Children and Incidence of Adverse Events Following Major Congenital Structure Repairs

Abstract

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate postoperative analgesia effectiveness and patient‐controlled analgesia (PCA)‐related adverse events. The children who received sufentanil‐based PCA following major surgery to repair congenital hip dislocation and hypospadias were divided into 3 groups: sufentanil 4 µg/kg + tramadol 10 mg/kg (ST; n = 301), sufentanil 4 µg/kg (S4; n = 211), and sufentanil 5 µg/kg (S5; n = 451). Analgesics with granisetron 0.2 mg/kg were diluted in 0.9% saline to 100 mL and infused continuously at a basal infusion rate of 1 mL/h. A total of 963 children whose average age was 4 years were investigated. The incidence of moderate to severe postoperative pain during rest was significantly lower in the S5 group (0.2%) and ST group (0.3%) compared with the S4 group (3.3%) within 72 hours after surgery (P < .05), and the incidence of moderate to severe pain during activity within 72 hours was also significantly lower in the S5 group (3.5%) compared with the other 2 groups (ST, 21.9%; S4, 33.2%; P < .001). A significant difference was identified among the 3 groups in the total number of PCA administrations, but there was no statistical difference of total usage of opioids among the 3 groups. In terms of PCA‐related adverse events, the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting in the S5 group was lower compared with the ST group within 72 hours after surgery (P < .001), and there was no significant difference compared with the S4 group (P = .254). There was also no significant difference in the incidence of pruritus and dizziness among the 3 groups. Sufentanil‐based PCA can be effectively and safely used in children after major congenital structural malformation repair surgeries. The sufentanil 5 µg/kg dosage in the PCA regimen is superior to sufentanil 4 µg/kg alone or combined with tramadol in lowering moderate to severe pain.