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.