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Ketamine-induced muscle rigidity during procedural sedation mitigated by intravenous midazolam

      Ketamine is becoming increasingly popular among emergency providers for procedural sedation. This case report describes a rare side effect of ketamine and the novel use of benzodiazepine to mitigate the effect. During procedural sedation for reduction of an ankle fracture-dislocation, bilateral lower extremity muscle rigidity occurred following administration of ketamine, which was mitigated by intravenous midazolam. Muscle rigidity is a rare yet potentially serious side-effect of ketamine of which emergency providers should be aware. The use of IV benzodiazepines was a novel way to mitigate the effect.
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