Effect of intrathecal ketamine in prevention of phantom limb pain following lower extremity amputation surgeries: a randomized clinical trail.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background and objectives Phantom limb pain is a common complication seen after extremity amputation. It is a chronic neuropathic pain syndrome where individuals experience pain in an amputated limb, even though the limb is no longer physically present. PLP is a common condition after limb amputation, with 60-80% incidence rate in who had a limb amputation. Various studies and literatures shown NMDA receptor antagonist, Ketamine has been effective against phantom limb pain. Ketamine offers enhanced pain relief, if it is administered as continuous epidural infusion in immediate post operative period. But pre-emptive intrathecal ketamine uses & its efficacy for preventing phantom limb pain in this context has not been studied previously. Henceforth, this study aimed to assess the effectiveness of pre-emptive intrathecal ketamine in prevention of phantom limb sensation and pain.