Efficacy and safety of oliceridine versus sufentanil for patient-controlled intravenous analgesia following gynecological laparoscopic surgery: a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group trial
In brief
Oliceridine halves postoperative nausea vomiting risk compared with sufentanil after gynecologic laparoscopy
In a double-blind trial of 152 women, oliceridine provided pain relief equivalent to sufentanil but reduced nausea and vomiting from 36% to about 19%, a roughly 50% relative drop. Patients also reported higher satisfaction, though bowel recovery was slightly slower. The findings suggest oliceridine may be a safer opioid option for this surgery, pending larger confirmatory studies.
- Journal
- Frontiers in medicine (Q1)
- Published
- 11 August 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- Jingmei Zhou, Zhuangbo Wu, Yuqing Lai, Jingxin Shi, Wenbo Chen, Zhengqin Wu, et al.
- PMID
- 42643488
- DOI
- 10.3389/fmed.2026.1866393
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (paper of the day, 1 September 2026): Oliceridine vs sufentanil, lower PONV
- Picked for Obstetrics and Gynecology (top studies of the week, 30 August 2026): Oliceridine reduces PONV, higher patient satisfaction
Abstract
BACKGROUND: To compare the efficacy and incidence of adverse reactions of oliceridine versus sufentanil in patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) for postoperative pain management following gynecological laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind trial, 152 patients undergoing elective gynecological laparoscopic surgery were randomly assigned to receive PCIA with either oliceridine (Group O, 0.4 mg/kg, n = 76) or sufentanil (Group S, 2 μg/kg, n = 76). The primary outcome was the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score at rest at 2, 4, 8, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 h postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included postoperative Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores, number of PCIA demands, rescue analgesic use, adverse events, time to first flatus and defecation, patient satisfaction, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Resting VAS scores were comparable between groups except at 4 h (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in MMSE scores, PCIA demands, rescue analgesia, time to first defecation, or other adverse events (pruritus, dizziness, fever, headache, cough, and abdominal distension) (all p > 0.05). Group O had higher body weight and body mass index (BMI) than Group S (p = 0.028 and p = 0.041, respectively). Group O demonstrated lower postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) incidence (19.48% vs. 36.14%; relative risk (RR), 0.54; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.32-0.92; p = 0.019), prolonged time to first flatus (27.16 ± 9.33 h vs. 23.23 ± 9.36 h; p = 0.014), and higher patient satisfaction (4.09 ± 0.81 vs. 3.74 ± 0.72; p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: For postoperative analgesia following gynecological laparoscopic surgery, oliceridine provides effective analgesia comparable to sufentanil while significantly reducing the risk of opioid-related PONV, demonstrating a favorable safety profile. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://www.chictr.org.cn/, ChiCTR2400089648.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.