A randomized controlled trial to compare the effect of oxycodone and sufentanil on postoperative analgesia and immune function for laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer.

Background: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of oxycodone and sufentanil on postoperative analgesia and immune function in patients with laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer (CRC), as well as the serum level of inflammatory cytokine.

Methods: 40 patients from August 2023 to August 2024 in Shenzhen Nanshan Hospital undergoing laparoscopic resection of CRC were randomly divided into Group O (n = 20) and Group S (n = 20). The visual analog scale (VAS) score and serial blood samples were assessed during perioperative period. The primary outcomes were VAS scores and immune indicators (including IL-2, C₃, C₄, IgG, IgA, IgE, IgM, CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD8⁺ and CD4⁺/CD8⁺) at 24 h and 72 h post-surgery at 24 h and 72 h after surgery. The secondary outcomes were inflammatory markers (including IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-a and INF-y) at 24 h and 72 h after surgery.

Results: The VAS scores at cough in Group O at 24 h and 72 h postoperative were lower than those in Group S (p < 0.001). No significant difference was found in VAS scores at rest between the two groups (P > 0.05). The immune indicators did not show significant changes after using oxycodone or sufentanil for patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA), respectively. There was no significant difference in inflammatory factors at 24 h and 72 h after surgery between the Group O and Group S.

Conclusion: Oxycodone is more effective than sufentanil in alleviating visceral pain, although it does not surpass sufentanil in managing cutting pain. In addition, there is no significant superiority in the effects of oxycodone on immune function and inflammatory cytokine release compared to sufentanil.

Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2400089072).