Objective: Etomidate is often combined in rapid succession during induction of anesthesia. However, the effect of pretreatment with oxycodone on recovery of cognitive function and adverse effects has rarely been studied. We conducted a prospective randomized controlled trial to compare etomidate alone with etomidate combined with oxycodone in elderly patients undergoing painless gastroscopy.

Methods: Hundred elderly patients undergoing painless gastroscopy were divided into a control and an observation group, with 50 cases in each group. The age, gender, height, weight, body mass index and American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (I/II) of patients in both groups were recorded. The recovery of cognitive function was compared in both groups using the Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination. Adverse events, including somatic motor reactions, hypotension, bradycardia, myocardial tremor, nausea and vomiting, and injection pain, were also recorded in both groups. Moreover, heart rate, peripheral capillary oxygen saturation, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure were evaluated in the 2 groups at different time points.

Results: A total of 100 patients were enrolled in this study. The demographic characteristics in the 2 groups were not significantly different (P > .05). Regarding the recovery of cognitive functions, more subjects in the observation group passed the memory, arithmetic and orientation test than in the control group (P < .05). Fewer adverse events such as dynamic body reactions, cardiac tremor, nausea and vomiting, and injection pain occurred in the observation group than in the control group (P < .05). During anesthesia and after awakening, the results of peripheral capillary oxygen saturation, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were better in the observation group than in the control group (P < .05).

Conclusion: Etomidate in combination with oxycodone for painless gastroscopic operation in the elderly is a safe and effective anesthetic strategy.