Ketamine during breast cancer surgery may stop chronic pain before it starts
NCT ID NCT03090776
First seen Jul 20, 2026 · Last updated Jul 21, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether giving a low dose of ketamine during mastectomy surgery can prevent persistent pain that often follows the procedure. Women scheduled for partial or total mastectomy receive either ketamine or a placebo saline infusion while under general anesthesia. Researchers then track pain levels and opioid use for up to one year after surgery to see if ketamine reduces both short-term and long-term pain.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- ketamine, a low-dose infusion given during general anesthesia
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple way to prevent chronic pain after mastectomy and reduce reliance on opioids.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-phase trial, so results are preliminary. Ketamine may cause side effects like hallucinations or nausea, and the benefit may be small or limited to certain patients.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
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