ORAL KETAMINE PREMEDICATION IN CHILDREN (PLACEBO-CONTROLLED DOUBLE-BLIND-STUDY)

Ketamine 3-6 mg kg(-1) given by mouth to paediatric patients for anaes thetic premedication was evaluated. Forty-three children, ages 2-9 yea rs were randomly allocated to receive either ketamine (3 or 6 mg kg(-1 )) or placebo (cola 0.2 mt kg(-1)). Oral use of ketamine made separati on from the families easier, gave an increased level of sedation, made acceptance of mask application easier and improved the emotional stat e in the recovery phase. These improvements were present with ketamine 3 mg kg(-1) and 6 mg kg(-1) in comparison with the placebo. We conclu de that 3 mg kg(-1) ketamine given by mouth to premedicate paediatric patients is as effective as 6 mg kg(-1) but has a decreased incidence of side effects such as nystagmus and vomiting.