A Case of Abdominal Cellulitis Induced by a Continuous Subcutaneous Injection of Oxycodone in a Patient with Gastric Cancer

Abstract

The standard route of administration of opioids is oral, although the route of administration of opioids changes to subcutaneous in cases such as dysphagia, nausea and vomiting. We report a rare complication of abdominal cellulitis following opioid subcutaneous administration. The patient was a 44-year-old man, was diagnosed with gastric cancer. Oxycodone was continuously injected subcutaneously to relieve pain, and the patient continued to receive chemotherapy. However, abdominal cellulitis developed at the site of subcutaneous injection. Continuous subcutaneous injection was halted, and an antibiotic drug was administered for 1 week; as a result, the cellulitis resolved. Afterward, the patient was able to continue receiving chemotherapy. It is necessary to pay attention to the puncture site and signs of infection when administering opioids subcutaneously, such as continuous subcutaneous injections of oxycodone.