Effects of Esketamine on Postoperative Behavioral Changes in Children Undergoing Tonsillectomy and/or Adenoidectomy

Approximately half of children who undergo general anesthesia experience emergence delirium (ED) and postoperative negative behavioral changes (PNBC). There was a positive correlation between delirium during recovery and the change in negative behaviour after the operation.

Esketamine has sedative, analgesic and anti-traumatic stress effects. Based on literature analysis and preliminary trials, this study suggests that intraoperative use of low-dose esketamine may reduce the incidence of emergence delirium and postoperative negative behavior changes in children.

This prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare the effect of intravenous esketamine in the incidence of emergence delirium and postoperative negative behavior changes in children compared to placebo (a look-alike substance that contains no drug) to provide a reference for optimizing clinical anesthesia medication regimens.

Inclusion criteria

• American society of Aneshesiologists physical status I or II;
• Aged 3-7 years;
• Scheduled for elective tonsillectomy and (or) adenoidectomy.

Exclusion criteria

• Parents refusing to allow their children to participate;
• Intake of sedative or analgesic medication within 48 hours before surgery;
• Developmental delay;
• Psychosis;
• Body mass index > 30 kg/m2;
• Allergy to study drugs;
• Major life changes 1 month before the operation, such as the divorce of parents, death of parents, moving to a new home, changing to a new kindergarten, etc.;
• Any other conditions that precluded study inclusion.