Esmolol versus ketamine-remifentanil combination for early postoperative analgesia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized controlled trial

Purpose Controversy surrounds the optimal technique to moderate pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Opioid analgesics, sympatholytic drugs, and adjuvants, such as ketamine, have all been used. We compared esmolol with a combination of remifentanil plus ketamine in patients undergoing LC to determine the impact of these drugs on morphine requirements and pain control.