Could a single surgical drug spare seniors from chronic pain?

NCT ID NCT07744308

First seen Aug 04, 2026 · Last updated Aug 05, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looks at whether giving dexmedetomidine during major abdominal surgery can reduce the chance of chronic pain three months later in patients aged 65 and older. Researchers will analyze data from over 2,700 older adults who had elective gastrointestinal or liver surgery, comparing those who received the drug with those who did not. The goal is to see if this approach might ease the burden of persistent pain after surgery.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
dexmedetomidine
What this could lead to
If the analysis shows a benefit, it could point toward using dexmedetomidine during surgery to lower the risk of long-term pain in older patients.
What could go wrong
This is a secondary analysis of existing data, not a randomized trial, so it can only suggest associations, not prove cause and effect. Results may be influenced by unmeasured factors.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Pain, Postoperative

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Department of Anesthesiology, First Medical Center of the People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, Haidian 100853

    Beijing, China

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