MedPath

Dexmedetomidine Supplemented Analgesia and Long-term Survival After Cancer Surgery

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Surgery
Analgesia
Elderly
Dexmedetomidine
Long-term Outcome
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT03012971
Lead Sponsor
Peking University First Hospital
Brief Summary

A majority of the elderly patients undergo surgery for malignant tumors. For these patients, postoperative tumor recurrence and metastasis are main factors that worsen long-term outcomes. The investigators hypothesize that dexmedetomidine supplemented analgesia in elderly patients after cancer surgery may help to maintain immune function and improve long-term outcomes, possibly by relieving stress and inflammatory response, improving analgesic efficacy and sleep quality, and reducing delirium incidence.

Detailed Description

A majority of the elderly patients undergo surgery for malignant tumors. For these patients, postoperative tumor recurrence and metastasis are main factors that worsen the quality of life and shorten the duration of survival. Perioperative immune function is a key element that influences postoperative tumor recurrence and metastasis; but it is subject to the impacts of many factors. Studies showed that elevated cortisol level and inflammation provoked by surgical stress result in suppression of immune function, whereas dexmedetomidine alleviates the elevated cortisol level and inhibit excessive inflammation; high-dose opioids inhibit the immune function and increase the invasiveness of tumor cells, whereas dexmedetomidine reduces the consumption of opioids during perioperative period; postoperative sleep disturbances also impair immune function, whereas dexmedetomidine improves sleep quality in patients after surgery; occurrence of postoperative delirium is associated with increased mortality, whereas dexmedetomidine reduces delirium incidence. The investigators hypothesize that dexmedetomidine supplemented analgesia in elderly patients after cancer surgery may improve the long-term outcomes, possibly by relieving stress and inflammatory response, improving analgesic efficacy and sleep quality, and reducing delirium incidence.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
1500
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age >= 65 years, < 90 years;
  • Scheduled to undergo surgery for primary solid organ cancer under general anesthesia, with an expected duration of surgery >=2 hours;
  • Planned to use patient-controlled intravenous analgesia after surgery;
  • Provide written informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Preoperative history of schizophrenia, epilepsy, parkinsonism or myasthenia gravis;
  • Preoperative radio- or chemotherapy;
  • Inability to communicate in the preoperative period because of coma, profound dementia or language barrier;
  • Preoperative obstructive sleep apnea (previously diagnosed as obstructive sleep apnea, or a STOP-Bang score >= 3);
  • Brain trauma or neurosurgery;
  • Preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction < 30%, sick sinus syndrome, severe sinus bradycardia (< 50 beats per minute), or second-degree or above atrioventricular block without pacemaker;
  • Severe hepatic dysfunction (Child-Pugh class C) or severe renal dysfunction (requirement of renal replacement therapy before surgery);
  • ASA classification >= IV.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Dexmedetomidine groupDexmedetomidine supplemented morphine analgesiaDexmedetomidine supplemented morphine analgesia is provided for patients in this group in the form of patient-controlled intravenous analgesia. The formula contains a mixture of morphine (0.5 mg/ml) and dexmedetomidine (1.25 ug/ml), diluted with normal saline to a total volume of 160 ml. 5-HT3 receptor antagonist is added when necessary. The analgesic pump is set to administer a background infusion at a rate of 1 ml/h, with patient-controlled bolus of 2 ml each time and a lockout time from 6 to 8 minutes.
Control groupMorphine analgesiaMorphine analgesia is provided for patients in this group in the form of patient-controlled intravenous analgesia. The formula contains morphine (0.5 mg/ml), diluted with normal saline to a total volume of 160 ml. 5-HT3 receptor antagonist is added when necessary. The analgesic pump is set to administer a background infusion at a rate of 1 ml/h, with patient-controlled bolus of 2 ml each time and a lockout time from 6 to 8 minutes.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Overall survival after surgeryUp to 7 years after surgery

Overall survival after surgery

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Event-free survival after surgeryUp to 7 years after surgery

Event-free survival after surgery

Cognitive function of survival patients at 2 years after surgeryAt the end of 2 years after surgery

Cognitive function was assessed with Telephone Interview for Cognitive Function-Modified (TICS-M)

Recurrence-free after surgeryUp to 7 years after surgery

Recurrence-free after surgery

Cancer-specific survival after surgeryUp to 7 years after surgery

Cancer-specific survival after surgery

Quality of life of survival patients at 2 years after surgeryAt the end of 2 years after surgery

Quality of life was assessed with World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref (WHOQOL-BREF)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Peking University First Hospital

🇨🇳

Beijing, Beijing, China

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath