The additive effect of esketamine and clonidine in patients at high risk for acute postoperative pain undergoing laparoscopic surgery: A randomised controlled trial
Journal of Clinical Anesthesia – November 04, 2025
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
In a randomized controlled trial involving 200 patients undergoing laparoscopic abdominal surgery, the addition of esketamine and clonidine to a multimodal anesthesia strategy showed no significant impact on acute or persistent postoperative pain. Participants reported similar levels of early recovery and required comparable amounts of rescue opioids. Additionally, the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) remained unchanged at 30%. These findings suggest that individualizing anesthesia with these agents may not enhance outcomes for high-risk patients.
Abstract
Adding esketamine and clonidine, as an individualised multimodal anaesthesia strategy, did not influence acute or persistent postoperative pain, early recovery, need of rescue opioids or PONV in patients, who were assessed as high risk for APOP.