Abstract: Objective To evaluate the effect oxycodone hydrochloride on the prevention of emergency delirium in older patients undergoing esophagectomy after general anesthesia. Methods Sixty ASAⅠ-Ⅲ patients,age≥60 years old,received general anesthesia and OLV using left double-lumen endotracheal tube undergoing esophagectomy,were randomly divided into group O(n=30) and group S(n=30),patients were assigned to give intravenous oxycodone 0.07 mg/kg,while sufentanil 0.15 μg/kg(equal volume of normal saline)15 min before the end of the operation.Records were made on the recovery time of autonomous respiration,called eye opening time,extubation time during recovery period.The incidence and severity of the VAS and the SAS were observed and recorded in the PACU,at arrival,5,15,30,50 and 60 min.Adverse reactions of patients and emergency delirium were observed. Results Compared with group S of patients the incidence of emergency delirium and drowsiness significantly lower(P＜0.05);VAS score,Riker SAS score,decreased significantly in group O(P＜0.05). Conclusion Oxycodone can reduce the emergency delirium during recovery period in older patients undergoing esophagectomy after general anesthesia.