Opioid sparing anesthesia in patients with liver cirrhosis undergoing liver resection: a controlled randomized double-blind study

Administering dexmedetomidine and ketamine infusions intra-operatively to patients with Child A liver cirrhosis undergoing liver resection resulted in notable opioid-sparing effects, with reductions of approximately 40% intra-operatively and 55% postoperatively. The opioid-sparing group exhibited improved postoperative outcomes, including reduced pain, decreased incidence of opioid-related side effects and shorter ICU stays.