Intravenous Ketamine Infusion for Managing Chronic Postoperative Pain After Inguinal Herniorrhaphy: A Case Report.
Journal of pain & palliative care pharmacotherapy April 30, 2025 André Luis Vieira Drumond, Lucas Nunes Bandeira de Melo, Marina Ayres Delgado 1 citation
A 63-year-old man suffered debilitating chronic pain for five years after inguinal hernia repair, despite treatments including amitriptyline, gabapentin, codeine, nerve blocks, and acupuncture. Periodic intravenous infusions of 30 mg of ketamine every 30 days substantially relieved his pain, improved mobility, and enhanced daily function. Ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, may help by modulating central sensitization. This case supports the 2018 consensus guidelines on ketamine for chronic pain and adds evidence for its use in chronic postsurgical pain, though more research is needed to establish optimal protocols.