English

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Present clinical study was conducted to evaluate the features of Ketamine hydrochloride such as rapid induction, profound analgesia and minimal cardiovascular and respiratory depression with good airway maintenance. METHODS: Study was conducted on one hundred patients of either sex of different age group for various short surgical procedures. All patients were premedicated with Inj. Atropine 0.02 mg/kg IV and Inj. Diazepam 0.2 mg/kg IV. Following this Inj. Ketamine 2 mg/kg was given intravenously. During the course of anaesthesia patient was observed for the time of onset, duration of action, haemodynamic parameters, respiration, recovery from anaesthesia and certain side effects. RESULTS: The onset of anaesthesia after intravenous injection of ketamine was within 20-54 sec (Mean 34.3 ± 8.7). Duration of effect of initial dose was between 9 – 20 min. (Mean 16.9 ± 2.9). There was 14.5 ± 4.7 beats / min rise in pulse rate with 6 to 30 mm of Hg (Mean 15.6 ± 6.2) rise in systolic blood pressure and 0 to 30 mm Hg (12.1 ± 8.8) rise in diastolic blood pressure. There was transient apnea in 5% of patients and airway was well maintained. Recovery was complete with in 9-30 minutes (Mean 19.8 ± 5.2). Vomiting was seen in 11%, hallucinations in 8%, dreams in 9% and involuntary movements in 40%. CONCLUSION: Ketamine can be used as a sole anaesthetic agent for short surgical procedure, with minimum adverse effects and maximum safety.