ketamine
Pronunciation: KEE-tuh-meen
A dissociative anesthetic agent used in dental sedation for its analgesic, amnestic, and bronchodilatory properties, particularly in pediatric patients.
Full Definition
Ketamine is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist that produces a dissociative state rather than conventional unconsciousness, making it distinctive among agents used in dental anesthesiology. It preserves airway reflexes and respiratory drive, which is an advantage in outpatient dental sedation. Editors should note the correct spelling (not 'ketamine HCl' unless the hydrochloride salt is specifically referenced) and be aware that 'dissociative anesthesia' is the preferred clinical descriptor for its mechanism. It is commonly combined with benzodiazepines to reduce emergence phenomena. Documentation in pediatric dental sedation records must note dose in mg/kg.
Usage
Usage note: Always lowercase in running text unless starting a sentence; do not hyphenate. The brand name Ketalar is capitalised; the generic is not.
In Context
- "Ketamine was administered intramuscularly at 2 mg/kg to achieve dissociative sedation prior to extraction." — Pediatric dental anesthesia record
- "The protocol cautioned that ketamine may increase oral secretions, necessitating antisialagogue premedication." — Clinical sedation guideline