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Long-term use of an intravenous ketamine infusion in a child with significant burns

Michelle C White1, Cengis Karsli

  • 1Department of Anesthesia, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. mcwdoc@doctors.org.uk

Paediatric Anaesthesia
|September 28, 2007
PubMed

Insights

This study shows long-term intravenous ketamine infusion is safe and effective for pediatric burn pain management. The child experienced no tolerance or withdrawal, demonstrating successful weaning from ketamine.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Anesthesiology
  • Burn Management
  • Pain Medicine

Background:

  • Severe burns in children necessitate effective pain management strategies.
  • Opioid analgesia can be insufficient for extensive burn injuries.
  • Long-term ketamine use in pediatric burn patients requires further investigation.

Observation:

  • A 9-year-old child with 42% body surface area burns received a 37-day intravenous ketamine infusion.
  • Ketamine was administered in both intensive care and surgical settings as an opioid adjunct.
  • High-quality analgesia was achieved throughout the treatment period.

Findings:

  • The child did not develop tolerance to ketamine during the 37-day infusion.
  • No psychomimetic side effects were observed.
  • Rapid weaning from ketamine was successful, with no signs of withdrawal.

Implications:

  • This case supports the safe and effective use of long-term intravenous ketamine in pediatric burn patients.
  • Findings suggest ketamine can be a valuable adjunct for managing severe burn pain in children.
  • Further research into tolerance and withdrawal from long-term ketamine infusions in pediatric populations is warranted.

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