Acute and Chronic Pain, Especially Neuropathic Pain, After Thoracotomy and Continuous Application of Ketamine.

About This Study

Chronic Pain, especially neuropathic pain, are adverse events after posterolateral thoracotomy for lung resection. The continuous application of ketamine may have a prophylactic effect and helps to prevent chronic pain. The investigators record the incidence and severity of acute pain and neuropathic pain during a seven day period after thoracotomy as well as the incidence of chronic pain and neuropathic pain after one and three month period. Parallel Group design, comparing one Group with a continuous application (24 hours) of ketamine against a Placebo Group.

Conditions Studied

Interventions

• •Placebo
• •Ketamine

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

* posterolateral thoracotomy for lung parenchyma resection
* informed consent
* ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) Status I-III

Exclusion Criteria:

* history of chronic pain
* history of neuropathic pain
* pregnancy or breastfeeding
* participation in another trial
* hypersensitivity for ketamine
* medication with can influence neuropathic pain (gabapentin, clonazepam)
* history of neurological or behavioral illness
* history of alcohol abuse
* history of chemotherapy or radiation
* opioid medication

Study Locations (1)