Effect of S-ketamine on postoperative pain sensitivity in children with preoperative chemotherapy

Children undergoing chemotherapy experience exacerbated postoperative pain and prolonged pain perception. Intraoperative intravenous administration of S-ketamine can alleviate postoperative pain. However, its efficacy in mitigating chemotherapy-induced hyperalgesia remains uncertain. This study fills the gap in this area. This study evaluates the effect of S-ketamine on postoperative pain sensitivity in children who received preoperative chemotherapy. S-ketamine's NMDAR antagonism may partly reduce pain sensitivity, thus reversing the pain effect. The results of this study provide promising evidence for the potential benefits of S-ketamine in improving postoperative pain outcomes in this patient population. The infusion time of S-ketamine ranged from 30 to 655 min, suggesting that the beneficial effect can be achieved within this time frame.