Effects of low-dose esketamine on early quality of recovery following minimally invasive esophagectomy: a multicenter, randomized controlled study.

HADS-A and HADS-D scores were lower in the esketamine group on postoperative day 1 to 3 (all p < 0.001).

Additionally, esketamine recipients reported significantly lower numeric rating scale scores at rest and during movement and Brief Pain Inventory scores for pain severity and pain interference items (all p < 0.001).

There were no significant between-group differences in safety outcomes.