A comparison of intravenous oxycodone and intravenous morphine in patient-controlled postoperative analgesia after laparoscopic hysterectomy.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we investigated the dose requirements, pain relief, and side effects of oxycodone versus morphine after surgery with visceral pain.

METHODS: Ninety-one women received IV oxycodone or morphine before the end of laparoscopic hysterectomy and then continued with patient-controlled analgesia for 24 h postoperatively.

RESULTS: The accumulated oxycodone consumption was less (13.3 +/- 10.4 mg vs 22.0 +/- 13.1 mg, P = 0.001) than morphine. With oxycodone, the visual analog scale scores were significantly lower in the first hour postoperatively and sedation was less during the 24-h postoperative period, P = 0.006.

CONCLUSIONS: Oxycodone was more potent than morphine for visceral pain relief but not for sedation.