Perioperative medicine & outcomes
Ketamine and melatonin for the prevention of postoperative delirium in patients with colorectal cancer: a feasibility study
Authors' conclusion
This randomized controlled trial demonstrated the feasibility of recruiting and retaining surgical patients for a multi-arm perioperative intervention study.
Study context
- Population
- Adults (> 18 years) scheduled for elective colorectal cancer surgeryattrition rate 13.3%
- Participants
- 104 adults
- Comparison
- Preoperative melatonin 5 mg and/or intraoperative ketamine 50 mg vs placebo/saline
- Primary endpoint
- Feasibility and POD occurrence (confusion assessment method for the intensive care unit (CAM-ICU), twice daily)
- Follow-up
- Until postoperative day 4
Methodological detailsfour-arm, placebo-controlled, feasibility study
- Four-arm
- Placebo-controlled
- Feasibility study
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
POD prevalence
Further findings
Feasibility (recruitment and retention)
- Recruitment rate (patients per week)
- 4.7
- Attrition rate
- 13.3%
Postoperative delirium (POD) incidence, severity and pain over time
- Time a significant factor; POD incidence, severity and pain decreased longitudinally
Original publication
Ketamine and melatonin for the prevention of postoperative delirium in patients with colorectal cancer: a feasibility study. Perioper Med (Lond). Published 22 August 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →