Intraoperative low-dose ketamine and dexmedetomidine fail to improve bowel recovery after complex GI malignancy surgeries: Study

The patients were divided into three groups: ketamine (KET), dexmedetomidine (DEX), and placebo, and the primary outcome was the time to first flatus and/or stool. The secondary outcomes included time to extubation, total analgesic requirement, postoperative pain scores, time to feeds, duration of intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay, and the incidence of adverse events.

Study Results

The results showed that there was no significant difference in the median time to passage of flatus and/or stool between the KET, DEX, and placebo groups. However, pain scores and analgesic consumption were significantly lower in the intervention groups (KET and DEX) compared to the placebo group. Other secondary outcomes did not show significant differences between the groups. The study concluded that low-dose ketamine or dexmedetomidine did not result in early bowel recovery despite lower pain scores and opioid consumption in patients undergoing open GI malignancy surgeries.

Research Methodology

The paper discussed the rationale for studying the effects of ketamine and dexmedetomidine, emphasizing their potential for promoting bowel recovery due to their opioid-sparing and anti-inflammatory properties. The study was conducted after obtaining ethical approval, and informed written consent was obtained from each patient. Patients were randomized into different groups, and the drugs for infusions were administered by personnel not involved in the study to ensure allocation concealment. Various factors such as duration of surgery, intraoperative fluid requirement, and adverse events were monitored and recorded, and the results were analyzed using statistical methods.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the study found that intraoperative infusion of low-dose ketamine or dexmedetomidine did not result in faster bowel recovery compared to placebo, despite lower postoperative pain scores and analgesic requirements. The findings provide valuable insights into the efficacy of these drugs for promoting bowel recovery in patients undergoing GI malignancy surgeries.

Key Points

- The study compared the effects of intraoperative low-dose ketamine and dexmedetomidine infusion on postoperative bowel recovery in patients undergoing gastrointestinal (GI) malignancy surgeries. - 84 patients were divided into three groups: ketamine (KET), dexmedetomidine (DEX), and placebo. The primary outcome was the time to first flatus and/or stool, and secondary outcomes included time to extubation, total analgesic requirement, postoperative pain scores, time to feeds, duration of intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay, and the incidence of adverse events.

- The results showed no significant difference in the median time to passage of flatus and/or stool between the groups, but pain scores and analgesic consumption were significantly lower in the KET and DEX groups compared to the placebo group.

- The research methodology included obtaining ethical approval and informed consent, randomizing patients into different groups, administering drugs by personnel not involved in the study, monitoring various factors, and analyzing the results using statistical methods.

- Limitations of the study included the inclusion of patients undergoing both gastric and colorectal cancers, potential variation in drug doses, and the potential influence of epidural analgesia on bowel recovery.

- In conclusion, the study found that low-dose ketamine or dexmedetomidine did not result in faster bowel recovery compared to placebo, despite lower postoperative pain scores and analgesic requirements, providing insights into the efficacy of these drugs for promoting bowel recovery in patients undergoing GI malignancy surgeries.

Reference –

Kumar SK, Misra S, Behera BK, Singh N, Muduly DK, Srinivasan A. The effect of intraoperative low‑dose ketamine versus dexmedetomidine infusion on postoperative bowel recovery in patients undergoing gastrointestinal malignancy surgeries: Placebo‑controlled, randomized trial. J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol 2024. DOI: 10.4103/joacp.joacp_322_23