title: Intravenous ketamine for postoperative analgesia.
abstract: Thirty-six consecutive patients who had undergone major surgery were carefully studied for 6 hours postoperatively in an attempt to evaluate the relative analgesic and respiratory-depressant effect of morphine, ketamine, and placebo administered by continuous intravenous infusion. Side-effects, vital signs and respiratory measurements were recorded hourly by a consultant physician. With regard to the dosage and method of administration, ketamine was shown to be less effective than morphine for the first 3 hours postoperatively, but equally effective subsequently, whereas the patients who received ketamine showed a greater progressive tendency for their respiratory parameters to improve with time. Recommendations regarding the postoperative control of pain are made, and the need for further study is noted.
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D007649:Ketamine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010919:Placebos; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D007649:Ketamine; D009020:Morphine