The Impact of Perioperative Ketamine Infusion on Surgical Recovery (NCT04625283) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedPhase 4
The Impact of Perioperative Ketamine Infusion on Surgical Recovery
United States1,570 participantsStarted 2021-04-12
Plain-language summary
In order to effectively treat surgical pain with the least amount of opioids required, a multi-modal approach must include medications with different mechanisms of actions at alternative receptors. In light of the opioid epidemic, medical providers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) are strategically combining these medications in a bundled pain-regimen after surgery. These regimens have been shown to decrease opioid consumption, improve surgical outcomes, and reduce hospital stays, thus coining the term 'enhanced recovery pathway'. The combination of these medications has an indisputable synergistic effect. However, it is unknown how each medication contributes individually to the overall efficacy of the pathway. This study will examine the effects of ketamine, within the constructs of a multimodal pain regimen, on a) length of stay, b) opioid consumption, and c) surgical outcomes after major abdominal surgery.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* 18 years old or greater
* presenting at VUMC for abdominal surgery on the colorectal, ventral hernia or surgical oncology services on a weekday.
Exclusion Criteria:
* allergy or contraindication to ketamine
* unable or refuse to receive a neuraxial or regional nerve block
* patient refusal
* direct transfer from operating room to intensive care unit with endotracheal tube placed
* treating team elects to exclude the patient prior to study drug administration
* abortion of planned surgical procedure
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Length of Stay
Timeframe: From surgery start until discharge, typically 3-5 days