Impact of perioperative esketamine on the perioperative neurocognitive dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled studies

Objectives The effect of esketamine on perioperative neurocognitive dysfunction (PND) remains controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of perioperative esketamine administration on PND.Design Systematic review and meta-analysis.Data sources PubMed, EMBASE,...

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Main Authors: Lu Chen, Chao Li, Xin Yuan, Yanan Zhao, Shufang Liu, Jiayu Zhu, Xuesen Su, Zixuan Wang, Yihe Tian, Shouyuan Tian
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2025-05-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/5/e095695.full
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Summary:Objectives The effect of esketamine on perioperative neurocognitive dysfunction (PND) remains controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of perioperative esketamine administration on PND.Design Systematic review and meta-analysis.Data sources PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Library were searched from their inception to 25 April 2024.Eligibility criteria for selecting studies We included the randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared single or continuous intravenous infusion of esketamine to saline among adult surgical patients without pre-existing neurocognitive disorders.Data extraction and synthesis Two reviewers independently extracted pertinent information from the included studies. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane’s risk of bias criteria. Risk ratios (RRs) and their corresponding 95% CIs were synthesised using a random-effects model. The overall evidence quality was appraised using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework.Results 10 RCTs were included in our meta-analysis, involving 854 surgical patients. Perioperative esketamine was associated with a reduced risk of postoperative delirium (POD) (relative risk (RR): 0.46, 95% CI: 0.30 to 0.71, p<0.001) and delayed neurocognitive recovery (dNCR) (RR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.21 to 0.78, p<0.001). However, no statistically significant difference was found in the risk of postoperative neurocognitive disorder (post-NCD) at 3 months postsurgery between the esketamine and control groups (RR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.19 to 1.73, p=0.40). Additionally, pain severity was reduced on postoperative day 1, with no difference in the risk of adverse events or length of hospital stay.Conclusion Perioperative esketamine reduces the risk of short-term PND, including POD and dNCR, without significantly affecting the incidence of adverse events or length of hospital stay. However, no significant differences were observed in the risk of post-NCD at 3 months following surgery. This systematic review and meta-analysis offers valuable data for PND research and clinical drug intervention strategies.PROSPERO registration number CRD42024538438.
ISSN:2044-6055