• Ulrich J Spreng, Vegard Dahl, and Johan Ræder.
• Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Asker and Bærum Hospital, Rud, Norway.
• Scand J Pain. 2010 Apr 1; 1 (2): 100-105.

AbstractBackground and objective Perioperative low-dose ketamine has been useful for postoperative analgesia. In this study we wanted to assess the analgesic effect and possible side-effects of perioperative low-dose S (+) ketamine when added to a regime of non-opioid multimodal pain prophylaxis. Methods Seventy-seven patients scheduled for haemorrhoidectomy were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, controlled study. They received oral paracetamol 1-2 g, total intravenous anaesthesia, intravenous 8 mg dexamethasone, 30 mg ketorolac and local infiltration with bupivacaine/epinephrine. Patients randomized to S (+) ketamine received an intravenous bolus dose of 0.35 mg kg-1 S (+) ketamine before start of surgery followed by continuous infusion of 5 μg kg-1 min-1 until 2 min after end of surgery. Patients in the placebo group got isotonic saline (bolus and infusion). BISTM monitoring was used. Pain intensity and side-effects were assessed by blinded nursing staff during PACU stay and by phone 1, 7 and 90 days after surgery. Results In patients randomized to S (+) ketamine emergence from anaesthesia was significantly longer (13.1 min vs. 9.3 min; p < 0.001). BIS values were significantly higher during anaesthesia (maximal value during surgery: 62 vs. 57; p = 0.01) and when opening eyes (81 vs. 70, p < 0.001). Pain scores (NRS and VAS) did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusions The addition of perioperative S (+) ketamine for postoperative analgesia after haemorrhoidectomy on top of multimodal non-opioid pain prophylaxis does not seem to be warranted, due to delayed emergence and recovery, more side-effects, altered BIS readings and absence of additive analgesic effect.

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