Esketamine Cuts Pediatric Emergence Delirium After Sevoflurane by Two-Thirds

This meta-analysis quantifies the magnitude and dose-independence of single-bolus esketamine for preventing emergence delirium in children under sevoflurane anesthesia, though the topic-tag classification of Nutrition Support / GI does not match the perioperative subject matter.

esketamineS-ketamineNMDA receptor antagonistsevofluraneemergence deliriumemergence agitationpediatric anesthesiapostoperative painPONVmeta-analysistrial sequential analysis Pediatrics

Background Information

Esketamine reduces emergence delirium in children post-anesthesia.

Emergence delirium is a common postoperative issue in children after sevoflurane anesthesia, requiring effective preventive strategies. Esketamine reduced emergence delirium incidence (RR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.26-0.48) and decreased pain scores with a slight prolongation in extubation time. This meta-analysis supports esketamine's use for preventing emergence delirium in pediatric anesthesia, though evidence certainty is moderate and further research is needed. Esketamine effectively reduces emergence delirium and pain in children under sevoflurane anesthesia.

📊 Deep Analysis Available

Subscribers get the full breakdown: study design, outcomes, pharmacist implications, clinical pearls, GRADE evidence grade, and a downloadable PDF report.

Subscribe for Full Access →

Authors: Lateiresh M, Louat A, Alwefati M, Altayf A, Legrand M, Cohen PD, Abdulwahed E, Kudchadkar SR, Elhadi M

Citation: Lateiresh M, Louat A, Alwefati M, et al. Effects of Esketamine on Emergence Delirium in Children Undergoing Sevoflurane Anesthesia: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Trial Sequential Analysis. Paediatric anaesthesia. 2026. doi:10.1002/pan.70272

Article Links: PubMed · Journal / DOI

🎓

Reviewed by a licensed pharmacist

Every analysis is reviewed and approved by a licensed pharmacist before publication, ensuring clinical accuracy and relevance.

Accurate and up-to-date information is our highest priority.

If you spot an error, please suggest a correction. If there is a topic you want covered, tell us and we will look at it.

Suggest a correction Request a topic

Thanks for the feedback!

🔒

Deep Analysis: Subscribers Only

Subscribers receive access to a complete clinical analysis, available online and as a downloadable PDF.

Executive Summary

Study Design

Patient Population

Primary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes & Safety Profile

Pharmacist Implications

Clinical Pearls

Limitations

Controversies & Evidence Gaps

Cost & Logistics

Want the full analysis?

Subscribe to PharmD Signal for unrestricted access to every deep analysis, plus PDF reports, GRADE evidence grades, and pharmacist implications for every article we publish.

Become a Subscriber →