Clinical efficacy of sufentanil combined with dexmedetomidine in patient-controlled subcutaneous analgesia for advanced cancer pain

To evaluate the efficacy of sufentanil combined with dexmedetomidine in patient-controlled subcutaneous analgesia (PSCA) for advanced cancer pain, 62 patients with advanced cancer pain treated in Department of Oncology of Hebei PetroChina Central Hospital from January 2017 to May 2020 were recruited and assigned via the random number table method to either the control group or the observation group. The control group (group A) received PSCA with sufentanil and the observation group was divided into group B1 receiving PSCA with sufentanil and dexmedetomidine (20:1) and group B2 given PSCA with sufentanil and dexmedetomidine (10:1). The numeric rating scale (NRS) scores of patients in the three groups decreased significantly after medication (P<0.05), with significantly lower NRS scores in groups B1 and B2 than in group A (P<0.05) and comparable results between groups B1 and B2 (P>0.05). Significantly higher Ramsay sedation scores were observed in groups B1 and B2 than in group A after drug administration (P<0.05), without significant differences between groups B1 and B2 (P>0.05). The incidence of constipation, nausea and vomiting in group B1 and group B2 was significantly lower than that in group A. PSCA with sufentanil and dexmedetomidine is effective in patients with cancer pain.