The role of esketamine in enhancing postoperative recovery and pain management in laparoscopic surgery: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors' conclusion
With a low to very low level of certainty, esketamine appears to improve early postoperative pain control and selected recovery parameters (enhancement of analgesia with both reduced rescue analgesia needs and reduced PONV) in laparoscopic surgery without increasing adverse events.
Study context
- Population
- Adults undergoing laparoscopic procedures
- Participants
- 1,036 adults · 11 RCTs
- Comparison
- Intra-operative esketamine vs control
- Outcome
- Postoperative pain scores
- Follow-up
- 0-6 h, 12-24 h
Methodological detailsPRISMA, GRADE certainty assessment
- PRISMA
- GRADE certainty assessment
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Esketamine vs ControlEstimate (95% CI)P value
0 to 6 h
MD −0.32(−0.40 to −0.25)
P < 0.00112 to 24 h
SMD −1.07(−1.22 to −0.91)
P < 0.001Further pooled results
| Outcome | Estimate | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Need for rescue analgesiaRisk lowered by 38% | RR 0.62 (95% CI 0.38–1.00) | P = 0.05 | |
| PONVIncidence reduced by 26% | OR 0.74 (95% CI 0.56–0.97) | P = 0.03 | |
| 0.20.5125Ratio (log scale) |
Emergence time, PACU stay, cumulative 24-h opioid consumption
- No significant differences
Original publication
The role of esketamine in enhancing postoperative recovery and pain management in laparoscopic surgery: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Eur J Anaesthesiol Intensive Care. Published 15 April 2026. doi:10.
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