The Impact of Perioperative Ketamine Infusion on Surgical Recovery
Status:
Enrolling by invitation
Trial end date:
2022-10-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
In order to effectively treat surgical pain with the least amount of opioids required, a
multi-modal approach must include medications with different mechanisms of actions at
alternative receptors. In light of the opioid epidemic, medical providers at Vanderbilt
University Medical Center (VUMC) are strategically combining these medications in a bundled
pain-regimen after surgery. These regimens have been shown to decrease opioid consumption,
improve surgical outcomes, and reduce hospital stays, thus coining the term 'enhanced
recovery pathway'. The combination of these medications has an indisputable synergistic
effect. However, it is unknown how each medication contributes individually to the overall
efficacy of the pathway. This study will examine the effects of ketamine, within the
constructs of a multimodal pain regimen, on a) length of stay, b) opioid consumption, c) pain
scores, and d) surgical outcomes after major abdominal surgery.