Use and efficacy of low-dose ketamine in the management of acute postoperative pain: A review of current techniques and outcomes.

Reviews the use and efficacy of low-dose ketamine in the management of acute postoperative pain. Studies were included if they were randomized, prospective, controlled, double-blind and reported pain scores and occurred from 1966–December 1998. The study concludes that ketamine may provide clinicians with a tool to improve postoperative pain management and to reduce opioid related adverse effects. The evidence suggests that low-dose-ketamine may play an important role in postoperative pain management when used as an adjunct to local anesthetics, opioids, or other analgesic agents. Further research is required in: (a) dose-finding studies for ketamine as adjunct to opioids and local anesthetics, (b) efficacy and optimal route of administration, (c) the role of S(+)-ketamine, (d) the influence of ketamine on long-term outcome such as chronic pain, (e) long-term physical and chemical stability of mixtures containing ketamine, (f) spinal toxicity of ketamine and, (g) effects of low-dose ketamine on cognitive and memory functioning after surgery. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)