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Review
. 2023 Sep;27(9):445-448.
doi: 10.1007/s11916-023-01128-z. Epub 2023 Jul 1.

Perioperative Use of Ketamine

Abimbola Adegbola  1 , Karina Gritsenko  2   3 , Elilary Montilla Medrano  2   3
Affiliations
Review

Perioperative Use of Ketamine

Abimbola Adegbola et al. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2023 Sep.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Postoperative pain continues to be one of the most common challenges following surgeries. Multimodal analgesia has been of particular focus as non-opioid alternatives have been encouraged due to concerns of the opioid epidemic. Ketamine has been an especially useful adjunct in multimodal pain regimens within the past few decades. This article highlights the current use and advances surrounding the perioperative use of ketamine.

Recent findings: Ketamine has antidepressive effects at subanesthetic doses. Intraoperative ketamine may be beneficial in reducing postoperative depression. Additionally, newer studies are exploring whether ketamine can be useful in reducing postoperative sleep disturbances. Ketamine continues to be a great tool in perioperative pain control, especially during an opioid epidemic. As its use continues to expand and gain more popularity in the perioperative period, more research could shed light on the additional nonanalgesic benefits of ketamine use.

Keywords: Acute pain; Esketamine; Ketamine; Norketamine; Perioperative; Postsurgical.

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References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance
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