Can a common sedative prevent Post-Surgery delirium in elderly cancer patients?

NCT ID NCT03012984

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Peking University First Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looked at whether adding dexmedetomidine to standard morphine pain relief after cancer surgery could lower the chance of delirium (sudden confusion) in patients aged 65 and older. A total of 1500 participants were randomly assigned to receive either morphine alone or morphine plus dexmedetomidine for three days after surgery. The main goal was to see if the combination reduced delirium within the first five days after the operation.

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 it works, this could offer a simple way to lower the risk of confusion and delirium after cancer surgery in older adults.
What could go wrong: This is a completed trial, but results are not yet widely confirmed. The effect may be small or not apply to all patients. Dexmedetomidine can cause low blood pressure or slow heart rate.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

agnosia delirium pain agnosia Postoperative Complications

As listed by the trial registrant

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

ANALGESIA COMPLICATION,POSTOPERATIVE DELIRIUM DEXMEDETOMIDINE ELDERLY SURGERY

Contacts and locations

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Locations

Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University

Baoding, Hebei, 050031, China
Chongqing University Fuling Hospital

Chongqing, Chongqing Municipality, 408099, China
Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital

Guiyang, Guizhou, 550002, China
Peking University First Hospital

Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100034, China
Peking University International Hospital

Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 102206, China
Qingdao Municipal Hospital

Qingdao, Shandong, 266011, China
Shanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital

Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030013, China
The Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University

Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710038, China
The Third Central Hospital of Tianjin

Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality, 300170, China
The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University

Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
Tianjin Hospital of ITCWM-Nankai Hospital

Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality, 300100, China
Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences

Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100091, China

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