Comparison of hydromorphone and sufentanil in postoperative patient-controlled intravenous analgesia: a retrospective analysis

Background: To compare the analgesic effect, PCA use and adverse events between sufentanil and hydromorphone used in patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA). Methods From June 2020 to May 2021, 1594 eligible postoperative patients who received PCIA were collected in this study. According to the type of opioid, patients were divided into two groups: sufentanil group and hydromorphone group. We used the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), the Functional Activity Scale (FAS) and the Level of Sedation (LOS) to evaluate the analgesic effects of the two groups of patients. We also collected the main data of PCA use, effective number of compressions and adverse reactions. Results At 24 hours (h) after sugery, the FAS score in the sufentanil group was higher than that in the hydromorphone group (P < 0.05). Compared with the sufentanil group, the PCA use, total number of compressions and effective number of consumptions were significantly decreased in the hydromorphone group during a 48h period (P < 0.05). There were no statistical differences in NRS score, LOS score and adverse events between two groups at 24h and 48h after surgery. Conclusion Compared with sufentanil, under the similar analgesic effect, hydromorphone provided lower PCA use and effective number of compressions in PCIA. Our findings may provide useful evidence for more future studies related to postoperative analgesia.