The effect of intraoperative low‑dose ketamine versus dexmedetomidine infusion on postoperative bowel recovery in patients undergoing gastrointestinal malignancy surgeries: Placebo‑controlled, randomized trial

摘要: Background and Aims No studies have compared the effects of ketamine and dexmedetomidine on bowel recovery. We evaluated the effects of intraoperative low‑dose ketamine or dexmedetomidine infusion on postoperative bowel recovery in patients undergoing gastrointestinal (GI) malignancy surgeries. Material and Methods This placebo‑controlled, randomized study was carried out in 84 American Society of Anesthesiologists II patients, aged 18–70 years, of either gender, undergoing elective open GI malignancy surgeries. Patients received intraoperative infusion of ketamine@ 0.1 mg kg‑1 h‑1 (KET), dexmedetomidine@ 0.25 μg kg‑1 h‑1 (DEX), or normal saline (placebo). Primary outcome was the time to first flatus and/or stool. Secondary outcomes included time to extubation, total analgesic requirement, postoperative pain scores, time to feeds, duration of intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay, and the …