Effects of a single subanesthetic dose of esketamine on postoperative subthreshold depressive symptoms in patients undergoing unilateral modified radical mastectomy: a randomised, controlled, double-blind trial

Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in females worldwide. During disease development, breast cancer patients suffer anxious and depressed, which may lead to worse quality of life or even higher mortality. Esketamine has been regarded as an antidepressant in breast cancer patients with mild or moderate depression. Here, we wonder whether the administration of esketamine could reduce the postoperative depressive symptom score of breast cancer patients who have no preoperative depression.