Perioperative uses of low-dose ketamine for pain management.

The purpose of this article is to explore the most current literature regarding perioperative pain management uses of low-dose ketamine. Research has demonstrated significant reductions in postoperative pain scores as well as opioid consumption with low-dose ketamine administration without side effects associated with its induction doses. The availability of S(+)-ketamine with double the analgesic potency of ketamine will create even more reason for its use.