title: Intraoperative infusion of S(+)-ketamine enhances post-thoracotomy pain control compared with perioperative parecoxib when used in conjunction with thoracic paravertebral ropivacaine infusion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The authors explored the use of continuous postoperative subpleural paravertebral ropivacaine alone combined with intraoperative S(+)-ketamine or perioperative parecoxib as a new approach to pain control after major thoracotomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A single university hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty patients underwent elective thoracotomy under general anesthesia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Study patients were assigned to 1 of 3 groups: group K (n = 27) received intraoperative S(+)-ketamine (0.5 mg/kg as a preincisional bolus followed by a continuous infusion 400 μg/kg/h), group P (n = 27) received perioperative parexocib (40 mg before extubation and 12 hours postoperatively), and group C (n = 26) served as the control group. At the end of surgery, all patients received a subpleural paravertebal infusion of ropivacaine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pain was assessed by visual analog scores and supplemental morphine consumption with PCA up to 48 hours postoperatively. The duration of stay and postoperative functional parameters also were collected. Compared with ropivacaine alone, S(+)-ketamine significantly reduced pain scores at rest and during movement at 4, 12, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively. Moreover, at 24 and 48 hours, pain was less after S(+)-ketamine compared with parexocib. S(+)-ketamine also reduced morphine needs in comparison to placebo at 4, 12, 24, and 48 hours and in comparison to parexocib at 48 hours after thoracotomy. There were no differences in parameters for lung or bowel function, mobilization time, or ICU and hospital stay.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with thoracotomy, postoperative paravertebral ropivacaine combined with intraoperative S(+)-ketamine provided better early postoperative pain relief than ropivacaine and perioperative parexocib or ropivacaine alone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Argiriadou
authors.forename: Pinelopi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Papagiannopoulou
authors.forename: Christophoros N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Foroulis
authors.forename: Kyriakos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Anastasiadis
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Thomaidou
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Papakonstantinou
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Himmelseher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000577:Amides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007649:Ketamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D000077212:Ropivacaine; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D007555:Isoxazoles; D007649:Ketamine; D000077212:Ropivacaine; C409945:parecoxib