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Ketamine and esketamine for postoperative analgesia in gynaecological surgery

Marchesi S, Liljencrantz J, Balintescu AC, Soumpasis I, Sinervo E, Makari S, Bentzer P, Bjurström MF

The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2026

Abstract

Objectives: This is a protocol for a Cochrane review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: The primary objective of this review is to evaluate the benefits and harms of a subanaesthetic dosage of ketamine/esketamine as an adjunct to perioperative analgesia versus standard analgesia or placebo for reducing postoperative pain in participants undergoing gynaecological surgical procedures. A secondary objective is to assess whether these outcomes differ by type of surgery, background condition, type of drug used (ketamine or esketamine), dosage, and presence of preoperative chronic pain or preoperative long-term or recurrent opioid use.

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