Small-Dose S(+)-Ketamine Reduces Postoperative Pain When Applied with Ropivacaine in Epidural Anesthesia for Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract

Epidural S(+)-ketamine applied with ropivacaine before surgery is a rational approach to decrease injury-induced pain sensitization. Epidural blockade with an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist and a local anesthetic may provide better analgesia in the postoperative period than a local anesthetic alone.