Journal of Anesthesiology and Pain

Background and aims: Although laparoscopy itself is a new step to improve the quality of different types of surgery, reducing their complications postoperative pain remains a major problem. This study compares the effects of low dose oral gabapentin with placebo to control postoperative pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy .
Materials and methods: In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, 70 patients aged 20-65 years old with ASA classes I and II, have been selected and divided into two groups. One hour before surgery, an oral capsule of 300 mg gabapentin and placebo have been given to the two groups, separately. All Patients underwent general anesthesia in a similar way. Pain plus nausea and vomiting were evaluated based on the visual pain scale and frequency, respectively. The interval for these assessments was every 2 to 6 hours after surgery and every 4 to 12 hours thereafter.
Findings: The difference in Average pain intensity between placebo and gabapentin groups is statistically significant (P=0.000). This significant difference has also been shown in the reduced need for additional drug in the gabapentin group. The average severity of nausea and the frequency of vomiting were at the same time lower in the gabapentin group (P=0.000).
Conclusion: Gabapentin can be effective in reducing pain after surgery and in various studies no major side effect has been reported. As a result, this drug can be used in various surgeries as an analgesic.