Ketofol Versus Ketodex for POD Prophylaxis in Elderly Cancer Surgery
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Group ketofol, Group ketodex, Group Control.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Postoperative Delirium (POD). Basic parameters: from 60 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Egypt
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Neuroprotective Effects of Ketofol Versus Ketodex on Postoperative Delirium in Elderly Patients Undergoing Pelvi-abdominal Cancer Surgeries. A Randomized Double-blinded Comparative Study.
Overview
Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common and serious neurocognitive complication after surgery, particularly in elderly patients undergoing major cancer surgeries. It is associated with prolonged hospital stay, impaired quality of life, increased postoperative cognitive dysfunction, and higher mortality. The pathophysiology of POD is multifactorial and involves neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, impaired cerebral perfusion, and neurotransmitter imbalance. Several anesthetic agents have been investigated for their potential neuroprotective effects against POD. Ketamine, through NMDA receptor antagonism, may reduce neuroinflammation and provide hemodynamic stability and opioid-sparing analgesia, although concerns remain regarding hallucinations and psychomimetic effects. Propofol, acting through GABA receptor activation, may protect against oxidative neuronal injury but may also induce hypotension in elderly patients. Dexmedetomidine, a selective α2-adrenergic agonist, has shown promising sedative, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties with potential protective effects against POD, although bradycardia and uncertainty regarding optimal dosing remain concerns. Combinations such as ketofol (ketamine-propofol) and ketodex (ketamine-dexmedetomidine) may provide synergistic benefits by improving hemodynamic stability, analgesia, and sedation while minimizing adverse effects. Previous studies have demonstrated favorable perioperative outcomes with both combinations; however, direct comparisons regarding their role in preventing postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing pelvi-abdominal cancer surgeries remain limited. Therefore, this study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of ketofol versus ketodex as prophylactic strategies against POD in this high-risk population.
Interventions
- Drug Group ketofol
Patients will receive Ketofol (propofol- ketamine mixture in a ratio of 1:1). This will be prepared by adding 200 mg propofol (20 ml) with 200 mg ketamine (4ml) in 50 ml infusion (concentration of 4mg/ml). The infused ketofol dose will be 0.2 ml/kg/hr. - Drug Group ketodex
Patients will receive Ketodex (ketamine- dexmedetomidine mixture in a ratio of 1:1). This will be prepared by adding 200 mg dexmedetomidine (2 ml) with 200 mg ketamine (4ml) to be diluted with normal saline within 50 ml infusion (concentration 4mg/ml). The infused ketodex dose will be 0.2 ml/kg/hr. - Drug Group Control
will receive an equal volume of normal saline as 0.2 mg/kg/hr.
Primary outcome measures
- Incidence of POD two hours postoperative using 3D-CAM test. [Time frame: 2 hours postoperative]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Patients aged ≥ 60 years.
- ASA physical status II and III.
- Scheduled for open pelvi-abdominal cancer surgeries.
- Able to communicate verbally.
- BMI < 35 kg/m2.
Exclusion criteria
- Patient's refusal to participate.
- Laparoscopic procedures.
- Severe hepatic (Liver enzymes are more than threefold) and renal impairment (Creatinine clearance is less than 30 ml/min).
- Severe cardiac disease (EF ≤ 40%, recent MI in the previous 3 months, NYHA ≥ III) and pulmonary disease (FEV1/FVC ratio < 50% predicted and/or FEV1 < 50% predicted)
- Patients require postoperative ICU admission with mechanical ventilation and or inotropic support.
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
Study locations
Egypt · 1 center
- Kasr Alainy Faculty of Medicine- Cairo University — Cairo
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07627906 · MS-394-2025