Ketamine: A New Anaesthetic Agent

Abstract

The results are presented of a clinical trial of a new anesthetic agent, ketamine, carried out at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. It was administered intravenously or intramuscularly or by both routes for 401 procedures on 285 children. Ketamine is a cyclohexylamine belonging to the same drug group as phencyclidine and is described as a dissociative anesthetic. The duration of its action is related to the dose employed. It has been used for procedures lasting up to one hour, usually in doses not exceeding 10 mg/kg. It has a wide range of application, but offers special advantages where the maintenance of the airway without an endotracheal tube is desirable, and where it is useful to shorten the preoperative and postoperative period of starvation in order to maintain the nutritional intake in patients requiring repeateB anesthesia, such as those suffering from severe burns. The cardiovascular system is stirraarlated rather than depressed. The laryngeal reflexes are well maintained. Respiratory complications, which are unusual, are more common in infants and are usually associated with pneumoencephalography or the concurrent use of halothane. Vomiting is uncommon and usually occurs after the patient is fully conscious. It is probable that ketamine, which has already been widely investigated, will achieve an important place in anesthesia.