Ketamine to reduce shoulder pain after laparoscopic gastric sleeve

The Role of Intraoperative Ketamine Usage as Part of Anesthetic Management in Decreasing the Incidence of Shoulder Pain Following Laparoscopic Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Early Phase 1 Interventional King Abdullah University Hospital · NCT07429916

This trial will try giving ketamine during surgery to see if it reduces shoulder pain after gastric sleeve operations for adults with obesity.

Quick facts

PhaseEarly Phase 1
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 60 Years
SexAll
SponsorKing Abdullah University Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Irbid)
Trial IDNCT07429916 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This early-phase interventional study at King Abdullah University Hospital compares intraoperative ketamine to an anesthetic plan without ketamine for adults undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Eligible participants are adults 18–60 years old with BMI >40 or BMI >35 with obesity-related comorbidities and ASA physical status 1–2. The study will record the incidence and intensity of post-laparoscopic shoulder pain and compare outcomes between the ketamine and non-ketamine groups. Key exclusions include recent analgesic use (within 24 hours except paracetamol), history of drug abuse, mental incapacity, and low ejection fraction.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18–60 undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with BMI >40 (or BMI >35 with obesity-related comorbidities) and ASA class 1–2 are the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients outside the age or BMI criteria, with higher ASA scores, recent non-permitted analgesic use, a history of drug abuse, low cardiac ejection fraction, or those not having laparoscopic procedures are unlikely to match or benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, intraoperative ketamine could reduce how often and how severe shoulder pain is after laparoscopic gastric sleeve, improving patient comfort and recovery.

How similar studies have performed: Ketamine has been shown to reduce postoperative pain and opioid consumption in other surgical settings, but its specific effect on post-laparoscopic shoulder pain is less well studied.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* patients aged 18-60
* American society of anesthesiologist grade 1,2
* BMI \> 40
* BMI \> 35 with obesity-related comorbidities

Exclusion Criteria:

* mentally incapacitated
* patients received any type of analgesia 24hr preoperatively except paracetamol
* history of drug abuse
* patients with low ejection fraction

Where this trial is running

Irbid

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Pain ManagementLaparascopic Sleeve GastrectomyShoulder painketaminePostoperativeGastrectomy
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.