In a rat model of osteoarthritis, low doses of S(+)-ketamine reduced pain behaviors such as allodynia and hyperalgesia for up to 28 days and improved weight distribution and walking, but did not reduce synovial inflammation or reverse histopathological changes in the joint lining.
Postoperative sore throat (POST) is common after surgeries requiring a breathing tube and can cause patient discomfort and delayed discharge. In a randomized trial of 405 adults undergoing short pelvic laparoscopic surgery, intra-cuff dexamethasone reduced POST symptoms more effectively than intra-cuff ketamine or normal saline. At 2 hours after extubation, 92.59% of patients receiving dexamethasone had no POST symptoms, compared with 74.07% for ketamine and 67.41% for saline. Dexamethasone also led to the lowest rates of postoperative hoarseness and cough across all measured time points. Intra-cuff dexamethasone appears to be a favorable option for relieving POST, hoarseness, and cough in the early postoperative period.