Effect of pre-emptive gabapentin on postoperative pain following lower extremity
orthopaedic surgery under spinal anaesthesia.
Author(s): Panah Khahi M, Yaghooti AA, Marashi SH, Nadjafi A.
Affiliation(s): Department of Anaesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain, Sina Hospital, Tehran
University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. panahkha@sina.tums.ac.ir
Publication date & source: 2011, Singapore Med J. , 52(12):879-82
INTRODUCTION: Gabapentin has demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials as a
pre-emptive analgesic and in acute postoperative pain management. However, our
experience with the drug is still limited. The present study was conducted in
order to evaluate the effect of gabapentin on reduction of postoperative pain in
the first 24 hours after internal fixation of the tibia under spinal anaesthesia.
METHODS: In a double-blind, randomised controlled clinical trial, 64 American
Society of Anesthesiologists Class I or II patients, who underwent internal
fixation of the tibia, were administered 300 mg of gabapentin or a placebo two
hours before surgery. The postoperative pain was assessed using Visual Analogue
Scale two, 12 and 24 hours after surgery. The time from the end of surgery until
the first bolus dose of morphine on demand (pain score > 4) and the total
morphine requirement were recorded. Patients were also asked about the possible
side effects of gabapentin.
RESULTS: The pain score was significantly lower in the gabapentin group at two
hours post surgery (p-value is 0.004), while the scores at 12 and 24 hours post
surgery were not significantly different between the two groups. No side effect
of gabapentin was observed.
CONCLUSION: Pre-emptive use of gabapentin 300 mg orally significantly decreases
postoperative pain two hours after surgery.
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