Effect of esketamine on postoperative pulmonary complications after radical surgery for lung cancer: A randomized double-blind controlled trial.
Medicine (Baltimore)Sep 18, 2026
Jiangyuan Huang, Jingjing Wang, Xiaoxia Gu et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effect of perioperative esketamine on postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in 80 patients undergoing thoracoscopic radical lung cancer surgery. The study found that the incidence of PPCs on postoperative day 1 was significantly lower in the esketamine group compared to the control group (37.5% vs 72.5%, P = .002).
Key findings
- Esketamine reduced PPC incidence on postoperative day 1 to 37.5% compared to 72.5% in the control group.
- No significant differences in PPC incidence were observed on postoperative days 3 and 7.
- Secondary outcomes, including postoperative nausea and vomiting, showed no significant between-group differences.
Why it matters
Postoperative pulmonary complications are common and can lead to increased morbidity and prolonged hospital stays. Reducing their incidence can improve patient outcomes and resource utilization in surgical settings.