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The analgesic effects of perioperative gabapentin on postoperative pain: a meta-analysis. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2006;31(3):237-47

Date

05/17/2006

Pubmed ID

16701190

DOI

10.1016/j.rapm.2006.01.005

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-33646399146 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   272 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant that has been shown to be effective in the treatment of neuropathic and inflammatory pain in animal and human studies. The analgesic effect of its perioperative use has not been fully elucidated.

METHODS: This systematic review (meta-analysis) included 12 randomized controlled trials of 896 patients undergoing a variety of surgical procedures that investigated the impact of perioperative administration of gabapentin on postoperative outcome.

RESULTS: The pooled visual analog scores for pain at 4 hours and 24 hours were significantly less in those patients who received gabapentin (weighted mean difference [WMD] = -1.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.14 to -0.99 and WMD = -0.74; CI, -1.03 to -0.45, respectively). A concomitant decrease in opioid usage by those patients who received gabapentin was also noted (odds ratio [OR] = -17.84; CI, -23.50 to -12.18). Gabapentin administration was associated with sedation and anxiolysis (OR = 3.28; CI, 1.21-8.87) but not associated with a difference in lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting.

CONCLUSIONS: Based on this systematic review, perioperative oral gabapentin is a useful adjunct for the management of postoperative pain that provides analgesia through a different mechanism than opioids and other analgesic agents and would make a reasonable addition to a multimodal analgesic treatment plan.

Author List

Hurley RW, Cohen SP, Williams KA, Rowlingson AJ, Wu CL

Author

Robert W. Hurley MD, PhD Adjunct Professor of Anesthesiology and CTSI in the Anesthesiology department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Amines
Analgesics
Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids
Humans
Pain, Postoperative
Perioperative Care
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid