Gabapentin as Premedication for Postoperative Analgesia in Children: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study

Abstract

Background: In recent studies, preoperative administration of gabapentin appears to play a role in postoperative pain control. However its use in children is still need further researches. So we aimed to evaluate the effect of gabapentin on management of postoperative orthopedic pediatric pain and consumption of analgesia. Patients and methods: This prospective study was carried out within one year on 80 children patients aged 10-12 years old scheduled for orthopedic surgery in upper and lower limbs. Patients were randomly allocated equally in two groups (40 for each) as follows: Group I: Gabapentin 300 mg was given orally 2 h before induction of anesthesia (Gabapentin capsule). Group II: control group (receive placebo 2 h before induction of anesthesia). Results: There was a significant increase in values of pain score at 0.5 h, 4 h postoperative as (p 0.05) between both groups. There was a significance increase in values of heart rate at 0.5,4 h postoperatively (p 0.05) between both groups. There was a significant increase in values of mean arterial pressure at 0.5 h, 4 h postoperatively as compared group II with group I and there was no statistically significant difference in values of mean arterial pressure at pre-induction and at 1 h, 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h postoperative as (P>0.05). There was a significant increase in values of postoperative total analgesia consumption in group II (control group) when compared to group I (gabapentin group) as (P<0.05). There was a significance increase in time to first demand of analgesia in group I when compared to group II (P<0.05). Conclusion: Administration of gabapentin preoperatively significantly reduces postoperative pain and postoperative analgesia consumption in children under going orthopedic surgery. It also causes stability in hemodynamic status by decreasing stress response and anxiety.