Esketamine-adjuvanted stellate ganglion block reduces postoperative sleep disturbance after gynecological laparoscopic surgery
Adding an esketamine-adjuvanted stellate ganglion block to intraoperative esketamine and dexmedetomidine significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative sleep disturbance on day 1 (62.9% vs. 83.2%, p=0.002) and day 3 (25.8% vs. 42.1%, p=0.017) in patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery. The intervention also lowered early postoperative anxiety without increasing perioperative complications.
This article is automatically generated from the structured evidence profile behind the claim above. Scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical advice.
Esketamine-adjuvanted stellate ganglion block reduces postoperative sleep disturbance after gynecological laparoscopic surgery The current body of evidence comprises 1 study, including 1 randomized controlled trial. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 44/100 (low).
The Claim
Esketamine-adjuvanted stellate ganglion block reduces postoperative sleep disturbance after gynecological laparoscopic surgery
This conclusion is most relevant to: Patients scheduled for elective gynecological laparoscopic surgery (n=192 in per-protocol analysis).
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Esketamine-augmented stellate ganglion block improves postoperative sleep quality after gynecological laparoscopic surgery: a randomized controlled trial. (BMC anesthesiology, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Stellate ganglion block modulates sympathetic nervous system activity
- ▸Esketamine provides NMDA receptor antagonism and anti-inflammatory effects
- ▸Combined intervention reduces perioperative stress response
- ▸Result: Lower incidence of postoperative sleep disturbance
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Patients scheduled for elective gynecological laparoscopic surgery (n=192 in per-protocol analysis)
Recommended Dose
N/A (esketamine dose not specified in abstract)
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Single-center study design limits generalizability
- ▸No objective sleep assessments (e.g., polysomnography) were used; relied on subjective measures
- ▸Findings require confirmation in larger multicenter studies
Frequently Asked Questions
What is postoperative sleep disturbance (PSD)?▼
PSD refers to poor sleep quality or disruption occurring after surgery, which can delay recovery and worsen emotional outcomes.
How does esketamine-adjuvanted stellate ganglion block work?▼
The stellate ganglion block modulates sympathetic nervous activity, while esketamine provides NMDA receptor antagonism and anti-inflammatory effects, together reducing perioperative stress and improving sleep.
Was the intervention safe?▼
No significant differences in adverse events were observed between the intervention and control groups, suggesting the intervention did not increase perioperative complications.
Who might benefit most from this intervention?▼
Subgroup analysis showed a significantly lower incidence of PSD in patients with preoperative depressive symptoms, indicating potential benefit for those with pre-existing mood issues.
References
- 1.Wang YL, Zhou L, Xu R, Yang N, Kuang RX, Li LH, Peng LH. “Esketamine-augmented stellate ganglion block improves postoperative sleep quality after gynecological laparoscopic surgery: a randomized controlled trial..” BMC anesthesiology, 2026. PMID: 42410342 DOI: 10.1186/s12871-026-04042-0