A comparative evaluation of ketamine anesthesia in children and adults

Abstract

Seven percent of patients less than 31 yr old who received ketamine anesthesia developed problems leading to unsatisfactory anesthetic courses (loss of airway, muscular hypertonus, and inadequate analgesia); 34% patients 31 yr old or older had unsatisfactory anesthesia. Emergency reactions (not classified as unsatisfactory anesthesia) occurred in 24% of patients 16 yr old or older and in 8% of children less than 16 yr old.