Anesthesia with ketamine, propofol, and fentanyl decreases the frequency of postoperative psychosis emergence and confusion in schizophrenic patients.

STUDY
OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether total IV anesthesia with ketamine, propofol, and fentanyl affects the frequency of postoperative psychosis emergence or confusion in schizophrenic patients.
DESIGN: Prospective, controlled study.
SETTING: Hirosaki National Hospital and Hakodate Watanabe Hospital. PATIENTS: 76 ASA physical status I and II schizophrenic patients taking chronic antipsychotic drugs and schedule for orthopedic surgery of extremities.
INTERVENTIONS: In Group A (n = 38) patients, anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane, nitrous oxide, and fentanyl. In Group B (n = 38) patients, anesthesia was maintained with ketamine, propofol, and fentanyl.
MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The frequency of psychosis emergence or confusion (54%) in Group A during the first 48 hours after surgery was significantly higher than the 30% figure in Group B.
CONCLUSION: Ketamine, when combined with propofol and fentanyl, is an appropriate anesthetic drug for schizophrenic patients.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes