Minor procedures

Ketamine may be used as the sole agent for minor procedures, e.g. body surface surgery and short procedures. Examples include:

• Drainage of abscess
• Manipulation of a fracture
• Burn debridement
• Ketamine alone can be used as anaesthesia for major cases, e.g. amputation or laparotomy, if inhalational agents are unavailable

Supplementary analgesia

It may be used to provide supplementary analgesia for a child undergoing general anaesthesia using an inhalational agent. Examples include:

• Surgery for cleft palate
• Laparotomy

Premedication

Ketamine may also be used for premedication for an anxious child presenting for surgery, or for sedation for minor procedures. Examples include:

• Suture of laceration
• Burns dressing