Esketamine-sufentanil PCA reduces postoperative depression state in elderly colorectal cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial.
Scientific reports April 21, 2026 Rong Ding, Daojie Wang, Guoxin Wang et al.
Adding low-dose esketamine (1 mg/kg) to sufentanil patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) significantly reduces postoperative depression and anxiety in elderly colorectal cancer patients without improving pain control or increasing side effects. In a double-blind trial of 99 patients aged 65 and older, those receiving esketamine had lower anxiety and depression scores at 24 and 72 hours after surgery compared to those given only sufentanil; no dose-dependent difference was seen between 1 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg esketamine. Pain scores and need for rescue analgesia did not differ between groups. Patient satisfaction was higher with esketamine (77% and 90%) than with sufentanil alone (50%). Adverse events were similar across groups.