Abstract: Objective To compare the analgesic effect of nalbuphine and sufentanil in preventing catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD) after transurethral ureteroscopic lithotripsy. Methods A total of 158 male patients undergoing transurethral ureteroscopic lithotripsy with general anesthesia, classified with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status as grade Ⅰ to Ⅲ, aged from 25 to 65 years old, were selected as subjects. Patients were randomly divided into two groups with 79 in each group: nalbuphine group (group N) and sufentanil group (group S). Patients in group N were treated with 0.2 mg/kg nalbuphine, while those in group S were treated with 0.2 μg/kg sufentanil at the induction of general anesthesia. The other procedures and drugs for anesthesia induction and maintenance were same in two groups. The frequency and severity of CRBD postoperatively, Ramsay sedation score, respiratory depression and postoperative nausea and vomiting were examined at 0 min (T0), 10 min(T1), 20 min (T2), 30 min (T3), and 1 h (T4) after recovery from general anesthesia. Results The incidence of CRBD at T3 and T4 were significantly higher than that at T0 in two groups. Compared with group S, the incidence and severity of CRBD were significantly lower in group N at T3(P＜0.05), and the Ramsay sedation score was higher in group N at T3 (P＜0.05). However, the incidence of postoperative adverse reactions was not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions Nalbuphine used for induction of general anesthesia, can effectively reduce the incidence and severity of CRBD in male patients after transurethral ureteroscopic lithotripsy during anesthesia recovery period with fewer adverse reactions.

Key words: nalbuphine, ureteroscopic lithotripsy, catheter-related bladder discomfort