Effects of esketamine on postoperative pain, anxiety, depression, sleep, and inflammation in pregnancies undergoing cesarean section: A randomized controlled trial.
PloS one January 1, 2026 Yijun Wang, Xiaolu Lin, Xiang Zou et al.
After cesarean section, intravenous esketamine added to standard pain control reduced maximum pain scores within the first 24 hours (median 5 vs. 6 on a 0-10 scale) and also lessened pain at rest, with movement, and visceral pain at all measured time points. Women receiving esketamine had lower rates of postoperative depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders, as well as lower levels of the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein. The time before the first patient-controlled painkiller press was longer in the esketamine group. No significant differences were seen in hyperalgesia or side effects between groups.