Comeback of Ketamine: Resurfacing facts and dispelling myths.

Initially known as CI-581, ketamine was first synthesized in 1962 as a replacement for phencyclidine (PCP). It is being used since then as a profound anesthetic and analgesic, in addition has bronchodilating, sedative and amnestic properties with the preservation of airway reflexes and sympathetic nervous system tone. Ketamine is always a stimulating topic of discussion since its discovery as the controversies regarding its usage in certain set of patients mostly overpowers its boon. In past 50 years, despite of potential benefits it has not gained acceptable popularity because of concerns of "emergence phenomenon", its use as substance of abuse and systemic side effects. Since 2012, ketamine has been subject to three World Health Organization (WHO) reviews addressing its international control. Researchers are widely studying this wonder drug since a decade worldwide. Many myths of ketamine regarding emergence phenomenon, its use in traumatic brain injury, open eye injury is getting busted in recent times. It's again getting popular in pre-hospital settings, critical care, emergency medicine, low dose acute pain services & adjuvant in regional anesthesia techniques. This review will highlight the current consensus on the various applications of ketamine in the light of available evidence in the literature.