Analgesic effects of dexmedetomidine and remifentanil on periprocedural pain during percutaneous ablation of renal carcinoma

Background: Percutaneous ablation of renal carcinoma is frequently a favourable treatment alternative, especially in elderly patients suffering from co-morbidities. Also, it is less resource-demanding than conventional surgery of renal carcinoma, and one may, therefore, assume that the incidence of this procedure may increase. Analgesia is necessary during this intervention. The aim of this study was to explore the possibility of analgosedation and its relation to patient comfort and safety during percutaneous ablation of renal carcinoma. Methods: Forty-six patients, sedated with dexmedetomidine and remifentanil, supplemented with infiltration anaesthesia (lidocaine 1%), underwent percutaneous (radiofrequency or microwave) ablation of renal carcinoma in this prospective study. Results: The patients expected pain intensity around the numerical rating score (NRS) 4.5 (interquartile range [IQR] 3.5–5.5), which was slightly lower than pain experienced during the procedure NRS 5 (IQR 2–7; p = 0.49). Eight percent of the patients needed supplementary morphine during the ablation procedure. Sedation score did not differ during ablation, at arrival to or discharge from the recovery ward. Median periprocedural treatment time was 12 minutes (IQR 12–16). Treatment time did not correlate with experienced pain (R(2)=0.000074, p = 0.96). The median length of stay in the recovery room was 120 minutes (IQR 84–154). There were seven serious adverse events. Conclusions: This proof-of-concept study has shown that analgosedation during percutaneous ablation of renal carcinoma can be performed with a generally tolerable degree of patient satisfaction. However, pain occurs and should be managed adequately. Patient safety must be a major concern for the anaesthetic care.