Abstract ID: A15

Abstract Title: The Analgesic Effects of Oral Gabapentin on Postoperative Pain:

Poster Type: Either

ABSTRACT BODY

Introduction:
The analgesic effect of oral gabapentin on postoperative pain is not clear. We performed a meta-analysis of available trials to determine if preoperative administration of oral gabapentin would influence the level of postoperative pain or postoperative analgesic (e.g., opioid) usage.
Materials and Methods:
Studies were identified primarily by searching the National Library of Medicine's PubMed database (1966-October 29, 2004) for terms related to gabapentin and postoperative pain. Inclusion criteria were studies involving human surgical patients, use of oral gabapentin administered preoperatively, randomized trials, trials primarily in adult populations, and trials where assessments of postoperative pain would be available for subsequent analysis (e.g., VAS). Data on study characteristics, postoperative analgesic usage, and postoperative pain levels were abstracted from qualified studies and subsequently analyzed.
Results:
The search resulted in 66 abstracts from which the original articles were obtained and data abstracted with ultimately a total of 8 articles meeting all inclusion criteria. Preoperative administration of oral gabapentin was associated with a significant decrease in analgesic usage postoperatively (WMD [fixed] = -4.33 [95% CI: -5.50, -3.16]) and a significant decrease in postoperative pain at rest at both 0-4 hours and 20-24 hours after surgery (WMD [fixed] = -16.05 [95% CI: -18.62, -13.47] and -7.38 [95% CI: -10.11, -4.65], respectively). There were no differences in the incidence of nausea, vomiting, or sedation between the groups; however, the gabapentin group had a significantly higher risk for dizziness-lightheadedness (OR [fixed] = 1.77 [95% CI: 1.07, 2.95]).
Discussion:
Our meta-analysis indicates that preoperative administration of oral gabapentin (300 – 1200 mg) may be a useful adjunct for postoperative pain management by decreasing postoperative opioid usage and improving postoperative pain although some side effects may be increased with gabapentin usage.

ATTACHED FILES

Reg Anesth Pain Med 2004; 29(2):A15