Postoperative ketamine infusion within ERAS protocols significantly improves pain management and reduces opioid consumption following elective open abdominal surgeries.

• Pain scores decreased by 0.53 on the VAS scale within the first 24 hours (p < 0.05).
• Opioid use dropped by 0.44 morphine equivalents during the same period (p < 0.05).

While ketamine had no significant effects on postoperative nausea and vomiting or other adverse events, it shows promise as an effective pain management tool.

• Further research is needed to determine optimal dosing and administration strategies for best outcomes.