Effect of 0.25mg/kg intravenous ketamine during spinal anaesthesia on post caesarean analgesic requirement in elective caesarean sections in Mulago.

Abstract

Post-operative pain continues to negatively affect the quality of life in obstetric patients worldwide and Mulago National Referral Hospital in Uganda, with its high turnover of mothers, is no exception. Research question: Does 0.25mg/kg of intravenous ketamine during caesarean section under spinal bupivacaine/fentanyl reduce analgesic requirements in the first 24 hours of delivery in elective caesarean section in Mulago hospital? Study objective: To determine whether 0.25mg/kg of intravenous ketamine during elective caesarean section under spinal bupivacaine/fentanyl reduces analgesic requirements in the first 24 hours of delivery in elective caesarean section in Mulago hospital.

Study methods: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in the gynaecology operating theatres of Mulago hospital among patients undergoing elective caesarean section The study was registered by Pan African Clinical Trial Registry, PACTR201404000807178 Results: Indicated 0.25 mg/kg ketamine given before the first surgical incision prolonged the time to first break through pain by 22.5minutes, p-value 0.019. Conclusion: Ketamine given before surgical incision prolongs the first time to break through pain but does not reduce analgesic requirements in the first 24 hours.