Atypical Manifestation of Postoperative Delirium After an Opioid-free Prostatectomy: A Case Study Report.
Journal of perianesthesia nursing : official journal of the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses – January 28, 2026
Source: PubMed
Summary
An unexpected postoperative complication, delirium, emerged even with modern opioid-free anesthesia. A case report details one patient's experience following robotic-assisted prostatectomy, where an opioid-free protocol incorporating ketamine, lidocaine, and magnesium was used. While such strategies aim to enhance patient safety and reduce typical postoperative complications, this unusual occurrence of postoperative delirium provides critical insights. Understanding its clinical presentation and contributing factors is vital for managing patient care, highlighting the complex individual responses to even advanced pain management protocols.
Abstract
At a clinical research hospital, the Department of Perioperative Services has recently implemented an opioid-free anesthesia protocol for selected patients undergoing robotic-assisted prostatectomy. This protocol incorporates intraoperative infusions of ketamine, lidocaine, and magnesium as part of a multimodal analgesic strategy. The present case report describes an unusual occurrence of postoperative delirium in this context and aims to provide educational insights into its clinical presentation, contributing factors, and management.