Cardiothoracic & vascular anesthesia
Effects of perioperative esketamine infusion on chronic pain after video-assisted thoracoscopic lung resection: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind clinical trial
Primary result · Chronic pain (persistent pain with a numeric rating scale score ≥1 during coughing in the surgical region)Result — go to the resultAdjusted odds ratio 0.62 95% CI 0.43–0.90Authors' conclusion
Perioperative low-dose esketamine infusion significantly reduced 3 month chronic pain after thoracoscopic lung resection without increasing adverse effects.
Study context
- Population
- Adults undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic lung resectionrandomly assigned (1:1), 873 analysed · analysed 873
- Participants
- 914 adults
- Comparison
- Perioperative low-dose esketamine infusion vs normal saline
- Primary endpoint
- Chronic pain (persistent pain with a numeric rating scale score ≥1 during coughing in the surgical region)
- Follow-up
- 3 months
Methodological detailsdouble-blind
- Double-blind
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Adjusted odds ratio
0.62
95% CI 0.43–0.90
P = 0.013
By group
Esketaminevs control
adjusted odds ratio 0.62 (95% CI 0.43–0.90); P = 0.013
Secondary outcomes
| Outcome | Adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chronic pain, numeric rating scale pain score ≥3 during coughing (post hoc outcome definition) · 3 monthsPost hoc | 0.39 (0.19–0.84) | P = 0.015 | |
| 0.20.5125Adjusted odds ratio (log scale) |
Pain scores at rest and during coughing · first 48 h
- Esketamine reduced overall pain scores at rest and during coughing
Supplemental analgesic requirements · 48 h and 3 months
- Esketamine decreased supplemental analgesic requirements
Original publication
Effects of perioperative esketamine infusion on chronic pain after video-assisted thoracoscopic lung resection: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind clinical trial. Br J Anaesth. Published 28 October 2026. doi:10.
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