Low Dose Ketamine Infusion Versus Thoracic Epidural Infusion for Post Thoracotomy Analgesia

Ketamine, a phencyclidine derivative has got unique set of actions among anaesthetic drugs causing dissociative anaesthesia. It been mainly used for induction anaesthesia and intraoperative analgesia. Recently, there resurge in ketamine owing to its efficacy as an infusion perioperative postoperative The aim this study was compare intravenous with thoracic epidural bupivacaine-fentanyl managing analgesia patients undergoing thoracotomy. Methods: 62 posted elective thoracotomy decortication were randomised into two groups. Patients group K (n=32) received 0.5 mg/kg bolus followed by 2 mcg/kg/min E (n=30) bupivacaine fentanyl 48 hrs post-surgery. Numerical rating scale (NRS) pain scores noted at rest on cough every 4 till Ramsay sedation scores, incidence side effects, dose rescue analgesics also noted. Result: NRS significantly lower Group compared E, both (p=0.002 p=0.001). There no difference the levels sedations or need analgesic paracetamol (p=0.356) though between second tramadol (p=0.034) E. Conclusion: Low provides better post infusion.