Simultaneous application of lidocaine and ketamine during ambulatory infusion therapy: a retrospective analysis

Infusions with lidocaine or ketamine have been separately established in the treatment of chronic pain. This study aims to retrospectively evaluate the effect of combined infusions of lidocaine and ketamine. Patient records were screened for receipt of combined ambulatory infusions of lidocaine and ketamine from 2012 through 2021. A scoring system was designed to assess pain response retrospectively. A total of 319 patients were included. Median pain reduction in days was 10.00 (interquartile range: 13.25). Side effects were limited to the acute phase of infusions. A total of 41.4% of patients who received concomitant pain medication reported a dose reduction. Our data support combined infusions as a safe therapy option, with good short-, medium- and long-term reductions in pain and great heterogeneity in treatment response. : (NCT05103319) Combined treatment with intravenous lidocaine and ketamine can be a safe option in the treatment of refractory chronic pain. Prospective data are needed to predict treatment response in a heterogeneous group of pain patients.