Background: The pain control effect of ketamine versus control in women during cesarean
operation is not well determined.
Objectives: The present meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of ketamine versus
control in cesarean section anesthesia for reducing the postoperative pain and analgesia.
Study Design: We used meta-analysis to address this concern.
Setting: Meta-analysis-based study.
Methods: The databases PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were systematically
searched to identify the relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of ketamine versus
control in controlling pain after cesarean section from inception to August 2018. Based on
the Cochrane Handbook, the combined analysis was performed using Revman 5.3 software.
Results: A total of 20 RCTs with 1,737 patients who underwent cesarean section were
included. Meta-analysis showed that the pain score in the ketamine group was less than that of
the control group (mean difference [MD], –1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], –1.61, –0.59; P <
0.0001). Application of ketamine during cesarean section also resulted in decreased consumption
of morphine when compared with the control group (MD, –6.11 mg; 95% CI, –9.93, –2.29; P =
0.002). In addition, the first time required for analgesia was significantly longer in the ketamine
group than that of the control group (MD, 72.48 minutes; 95% CI, 50.85, 94.11; P < 0.00001).
Limitations: Limited patients were included with moderate strength.
Conclusions: Ketamine supplementation during cesarean section reduces pain and morphine
consumption and prolongs the postoperative analgesia.
Key words: Ketamine, cesarean section, randomized controlled trials, meta-analysis