The Safety and Efficacy of Oxycodone Versus Fentanyl in Percutaneous Microwave Ablation of a Liver Tumour Abutting the Capsule

Purpose The present study compared the safety and efficacy of oxycodone with those of fentanyl under non-intubated general anaesthesia in percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) of a liver tumour abutting the capsule. Materials and Methods Thirty-eight patients underwent MWA of liver cancers abutting the capsule. Patients received 0.1 mg/kg oxycodone (O group) or 1 μg/kg fentanyl (F group) prior to the start of ablation. Both groups received continuous infusions of propofol for non-intubated general anaesthesia during ablation. The primary outcomes were the pain scores (11-point numeric rating scale, NRS) within 24 h after MWA. Vital signs, body movement during ablation, and opioid side effects after ablation were recorded. The need for additional analgesics was recorded 24 h after MWA. Results The pain NRS scores were lower in the O group than in the F group at 0.5 ( P = 0.035), 3 ( P = 0.002), and 6 h ( P = 0.001) after MWA, and fewer patients required additional analgesics in the O group (6 of 20 vs. 13 of 18, P = 0.022) within 24 h. The average 24-h dose of dezocine was 5.5 ± 4.1 mg in the F group and 2.1 ± 3.3 mg in the O group ( P = 0.008). A significant reduction in the respiratory rate ( P = 0.020) and more body movements were observed in the F group ( P = 0.027) during ablation with non-intubated general anaesthesia. No differences in post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) were observed between the two groups, but dizziness occurred significantly more often in the O group ( P = 0.033). No significant differences in other vital signs were observed before, during, and after the procedure. Conclusions Oxycodone provides better analgesia and reduces post-operative opioid consumption without significant respiratory or hemodynamic instability.