Impact of intra-operative ketamine on postoperative outcomes in abdominal surgery: a narrative review.
Translational gastroenterology and hepatology – January 01, 2024
Source: PubMed
Summary
Using ketamine during abdominal surgery can significantly reduce post-operative pain and decrease patients' need for opioid medications. When administered during surgery, ketamine helps manage pain more effectively, with patients reporting lower pain scores and requiring fewer pain medications in the crucial 24 hours after surgery. While some patients experienced side effects like hallucinations, the benefits of improved pain control make this approach promising for surgical care.
Abstract
Ketamine offers a promising solution to common postoperative issues in abdominal surgery, including pain, nausea, opioid use, and opioid-related side effects. The purpose of this literature review is to analyze the benefits and potential adverse effects associated with the intraoperative utilization of ketamine during abdominal surgeries. A comprehensive search of PubMed and Ovid MEDLINE was conducted by two independent reviewers. Studies were included if they targeted adult patients and evaluated intra-operative use of ketamine for abdominal operations. We identified 13 studies of intraoperative use of ketamine in abdominal surgery. The results of these studies showed improved pain management as demonstrated by lower pain scores, decreased hyperalgesia, and a decreased need for additional analgesics. The results also demonstrated a decrease in opioid consumption during the critical 24-hour postoperative period. However, a few studies reported undesirable side effects such as hallucinations and delirium. The intraoperative use of ketamine holds promise as a valuable adjunct to anesthesia during abdominal surgeries. Studies support its use in improving post-operative pain and decreasing opioid consumption. Due to risks of adverse effects, further studies in larger patient populations may help identify which patients will benefit the most. This review offers a succinct selection of the pertinent literature.