Ketamine infusion cuts opioid needs after knee surgery, study finds

This study tested whether adding a continuous infusion of ketamine to standard pain management could reduce opioid use and improve pain control after knee replacement surgery. 100 adult patients were randomly assigned to receive either standard care alone or standard care plus ketamine via a patient-controlled pump. Researchers measured pain levels and total opioid use during the first 24 hours after surgery, as well as side effects like nausea and vomiting. The goal was to find a safer, more effective way to manage post-surgical pain.