Analgesic Effectiveness of Dinalbuphine Sebacate in Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Wedge Resection and Its Effect on Reducing Postoperative Pulmonary Complications: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Inadequate postoperative analgesia may cause postoperative complications, such as pulmonary complications. This study evaluated the analgesic effectiveness of a single preoperative injection of dinalbuphine sebacate (DS) in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic wedge resection and assessed whether it can reduce the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs).

Methods: In this study, the data of 757 patients who underwent VATS wedge resection at a medical center were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into the DS group and the conventional analgesia (CA) group. The following parameters were analyzed: analgesic consumption during hospitalization, the incidence of PPCs, and the postoperative use of oxygen therapy.

Results: Compared with the CA group, the DS group had lower nalbuphine, tramadol, parecoxib, acetaminophen, diclofenac, and utraphen consumption during the postoperative period; higher morphine and ketorolac consumption; and comparable fentanyl consumption. Nonetheless, the frequency of requesting pain relief was significantly lower in the DS group. No significant between-group differences were noted in the incidence of PPCs. However, the DS group had fewer requirements for oxygen therapy in the ward, early removal of chest tubes, and shorter length of hospital stay.

Conclusion: A single preoperative injection of DS reduced the frequency of salvage analgesic administration and total consumption of certain postoperative analgesics, suggesting the effective pain relief of DS, and it did not increase the incidence of PPCs. Additionally, it reduced the need for postoperative oxygen therapy, which may suggest a better prognosis and smoother postoperative pulmonary recovery for patients.