The Effects of Ketamine and Methadone on Postoperative Pain for Laminectomy

Randomized, quadruple‑masked, parallel Phase IV trial comparing IV ketamine, IV methadone, and their combination for intraoperative use to reduce postoperative pain after lumbar laminectomy.

Primary aim was to evaluate whether intraoperative ketamine (0.5 mg/kg bolus plus 5 µg/kg/min infusion), methadone (0.2 mg/kg preinduction), or their combination reduces postoperative opioid requirements and improves recovery outcomes.