Epidural Ketamine for Pain Relief After Surgery
Author Information
Author(s): Mamta Sethi, Nitin Sethi, Pradeep Jain, Jayashree Sood
Primary Institution: Max Superspeciality Hospital, New Delhi, India
Hypothesis
Does adding small-dose ketamine to a multimodal regimen of postoperative patient-controlled epidural analgesia improve pain relief and reduce morphine consumption?
Conclusion
Adding small-dose ketamine to a multimodal PCEA regimen provides better postoperative analgesia and reduces morphine consumption.
Supporting Evidence
- Patients receiving ketamine consumed less morphine on postoperative days 1 and 2.
- Pain scores at rest and movement were significantly lower in the ketamine group.
- Fewer patients in the ketamine group required rescue analgesics.
Takeaway
This study found that using a little bit of ketamine with other pain medicine after surgery helps people feel less pain and need less morphine.
Methodology
A double-blind randomized controlled study with 100 patients undergoing major upper abdominal surgery, divided into two groups receiving different PCEA regimens.
Limitations
Exclusion criteria included contraindications to regional blockade and history of opioid addiction or psychological disorders.
Participant Demographics
Patients aged 18-65, ASA physical status I-II, with a mix of male and female participants.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website