BMC Anesthesiol. 2006 Nov 03;6:12. doi: 10.1186/1471-2253-6-12.

Effect of Gabapentin on morphine demand and pain after laparoscopic sterilization using Filshie clips. A double blind randomized clinical trial.

BMC anesthesiology

Jens Bartholdy, Karen L Hilsted, Nils C Hjortsoe, Jens Engbaek, Joergen B Dahl

PMID: 17083725 PMCID: PMC1637100 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2253-6-12

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A considerable number of patients require opioids during recovery after laparoscopic sterilization. This implies nausea, dizziness and sedation and increases the number of unplanned admissions. Gabapentin has shown excellent postoperative analgesic effect in a number of recent studies with few side effects. This study was designed to test whether gabapentin given preoperatively can reduce the number of patients needing morphine in the recovery period.

METHODS: 80 females scheduled for laparoscopic sterilization using Filshie clips were randomized to two treatment groups (Gaba group and control group). All patients received lornoxicam 8 mg p.o. 30 min. before the procedure. Patients in the Gaba group received gabapentin 1200 mg p.o. and patients in the control group received placebo capsules prior to the procedure. All patients were anesthetized according to a protocol, using remifentanil and propofol. Postoperative analgesia was obtained with patient controlled infusion of morphine. Pain, nausea, dizziness and sedation were scored at 2 and 4 hours after end of anesthesia. The expenditure of morphine was the primary measure for the effect of analgesia and the number of patients demanding morphine was the primary endpoint.

RESULTS: Three patients were excluded because of procedural errors and one because of conversion to open surgery. 38 patients completed the study in each group.32 (84%) patients in the gabapentin group and 37 (97%) patients in the control group did require morphine in the recovery period. (p = 0,049). There was no significant difference between mean morphine consumption, pain scores and frequency of adverse effects (nausea, dizziness, sedation and vomiting)

CONCLUSION: The postoperative analgesic effect of gabapentin given preoperatively was confirmed in this study. For this procedure, with pain predominantly in the immediate recovery period, and of less intensity than after major surgical procedures, the effect demonstrated is much less pronounced than in similar studies of major surgery. General use of gabapentin as analgesic for laparoscopic sterilization is not supported by this study.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISCRTN39209275.

References

1. Br J Anaesth. 1996 Jan;76(1):168 - PubMed
2. Pain. 2006 Dec 15;126(1-3):91-101 - PubMed
3. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2006 Feb;23(2):136-41 - PubMed
4. Anesth Analg. 2004 Aug;99(2):375-8, table of contents - PubMed
5. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2006 May-Jun;31(3):237-47 - PubMed
6. Anesth Analg. 2004 May;98(5):1370-3, table of contents - PubMed
7. Can J Anaesth. 2004 Dec;51(10):986-9 - PubMed
8. Br J Anaesth. 2004 Jun;92(6):846-9 - PubMed
9. Anesthesiology. 2002 Sep;97(3):560-4 - PubMed
10. Obstet Gynecol. 1997 Nov;90(5):731-4 - PubMed
11. Br J Anaesth. 1997 Sep;79(3):369-78 - PubMed
12. Anesth Analg. 1997 Jul;85(1):37-43 - PubMed
13. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2004 Mar;48(3):322-7 - PubMed
14. Can J Anaesth. 2004 Apr;51(4):358-63 - PubMed
15. Anesth Analg. 1996 Apr;82(4):732-7 - PubMed
16. Can J Anaesth. 2006 May;53(5):461-9 - PubMed
17. Pain. 2005 Jan;113(1-2):191-200 - PubMed
18. Can J Anaesth. 2006 Jun;53(6):562-71 - PubMed
19. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2004 Oct;48(9):1130-6 - PubMed

Publication Types

• Journal Article