Effect of esketamine-based patient-controlled intravenous analgesia on postoperative pain and quality of recovery after video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy: A prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial

Key Points

• Improved postoperative recovery quality with esketamine-based intravenous analgesia, showing a significant analgesic effect soon after surgery.
• Patients receiving 1.5 mg/kg esketamine experienced fewer issues with depression and better overall recovery compared to standard methods.
• This double-blind, randomized controlled trial examined the effects of esketamine in patient-controlled intravenous analgesia for pain management.
• The findings highlight the potential of esketamine as a beneficial option for managing postoperative pain, emphasizing the need for further validation.