Journal of Jilin University(Medicine Edition) ›› 2026, Vol. 52 ›› Issue (2): 561-571.doi: 10.13481/j.1671-587X.20260230

• Review • Previous Articles    

Research progress in pathology mechanism of burn injury-induced chronic pain and analgesic strategy with esketamine

Xinxu CHEN,Shengchun CHEN,Chunsheng FENG,Meihua PIAO()   

  1. Department of Anesthesiology,First Hospital,Jilin University,Changchun 130021,China
  • Received:2025-07-24 Accepted:2025-09-14 Online:2026-03-28 Published:2026-04-15
  • Contact: Meihua PIAO E-mail:pumh@jlu.edu.cn

Abstract:

Burn injury-induced chronic pain is a common and refractory complication, of which the pathogenesis involves multifaceted mechanisms including neuropathic damage, central sensitization, and neuroinflammation. The underlying pathophysiology primarily consists of abnormal peripheral nerve regeneration, epigenetic reprogramming in the dorsal root ganglion, activation of spinal glial cells, and neuronal hyperexcitability mediated by pro-inflammatory signaling pathways. As an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, esketamine exerts analgesic effects through various pathways such as inhibiting glutamatergic signaling, modulating synaptic plasticity, and attenuating neuroinflammation. Esketamine may effectively alleviate acute and chronic pain in burn patients, reduce opioid consumption, and improve their mood and cognitive functions. This review summarizes the mechanism, clinical efficacy, and medication strategies of esketamine for burn injury-induced chronic pain. It also proposes stratified analgesia strategies based on burn severity, location, and patient age. The short-term and long-term safety profiles, as well as adverse effects associated with esketamine, are discussed, aiming to provide theoretical foundation and clinical reference for the precise application of esketamine in the management of burn injury-induced chronic pain.

Key words: Esketamine, Burn injury, Pain, N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor antagonist, Postoperative pain, Pain management

CLC Number: 

  • R614.2