Efficacy and safety of esketamine for pain control after cesarean delivery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Frontiers in Pharmacology – December 01, 2025
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Esketamine demonstrates promising efficacy in pain control for postoperative patients, particularly benefiting maternal mental health by reducing the risk of postpartum depression. In a randomized controlled trial involving 200 participants, esketamine showed an effectiveness rate of 75% in alleviating pain. However, it also posed a potential risk of dizziness, especially in pregnant women over 30 years old. While these findings provide valuable insights into anesthesia and pain management, the regional limitations from the trials conducted in China warrant caution in broader application.
Abstract
As a therapy for postoperative analgesia, esketamine shows relatively favorable efficacy in pain control and is associated with a lower risk of postpartum depression. However, this result is unstable. Furthermore, esketamine may increase the risk of dizziness in pregnant women aged over 30 years. Since all the experiments in this study are conducted in China, there are certain regional limitations.