Background
Intravenous ketamine given prior to and following surgical incision for up to 72 hours reduces the incidence of chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) reported at a 12-month postoperative follow-up telephone interview compared to placebo. Chronic post surgical pain (CPSP) has received little attention as a major clinical problem. However, CPSP is now known to be one of the most common complications of major surgery. CPSP contributes significantly to the burden of chronic pain in the community. This is deeply concerning, since funding and availability of clinical services for the treatment of established chronic pain are seriously inadequate to meet demand and the effectiveness of treatments is limited.
Design
A multicentre, double-blind, parallel group, placebo controlled, randomised trial of the effect of perioperative ketamine on the risk of development of chronic postsurgical pain. The trial drug will be either active drug (ketamine HCI 200mg/2mL) or placebo (normal saline) given prior to and following surgical incisions for up to 72 hours. The trial aims to determine the incidence of CPSP reported by the patient at telephone follow-up structured interview 12 months after surgery.
Trial Length & Mackay Base Hospital Recruitment Aims
Five years, aiming to recruit 100 patients.