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Ketamine Clinical Trials

The Effect of Perioperative Intravenous Low-dose Ketamine on Acute and Chronic Neuropathic Pain After Major Back Surgery. A Randomised, Placebo-controlled, Double-blind Study

To see complete record on clinicaltrials.gov, please visit this link

Id: NCT00618423

Organisation Name: University Hospital, Geneva

Overal Status: Completed

Start Date: October 2007

Last Update: April 15, 2013

Lead Sponsor: University Hospital, Geneva

Brief Summary: After a surgical operation, patients may suffer from chronic pain. Ketamine, a well known anesthetic acts on receptors in the spine (NMDA receptors), which are implied in the occurrence of chronic pain. The mechanism is called central sensation. It is known that Ketamine reduces immediate postoperative pain, but its effectiveness in the prevention of the chronic pain is still unknown. The investigators study will follow patients until one year after operation for the occurrence of chronic pain. The investigators hypothesis is that Ketamine reduces significantly chronic postoperative pain after major back surgery and improves patient outcome.

There may be important inter-individual differences how persons react on a drug. These differences are partly determined by the genes of each individual. The investigators study includes therefore a genetic analysis.

Psychological and social factors also influence the perception of pain. It is still not well understood who these "psychosocial factors" determine the appearance and perception of chronic pain. In the investigators study the investigators will therefore study these factors by questionnaires.

• Postoperative Pain