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Effects of gabapentin on postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting after abdominal hysterectomy: a double blind randomized clinical trial

  • General Gynecology
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Gabapentin has demonstrated analgesic effects in some studies. This double blind randomized clinical trial (RCT) was conducted to evaluate whether the pre-emptive use of gabapentin 600 mg could reduce postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting, and meperidine consumption in patients after hysterectomy.

Methods

Between 2009 and 2010, a total of 170 patients who were candidates for abdominal hysterectomy were assessed for eligibility to enter the study. Thirty patients were excluded for different reasons; and 140 included patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups according to the method of treatment, gabapentin or placebo, in a double-blind manner before hysterectomy. Postoperatively, the pain was assessed on a visual analogue scale (VAS) at 1, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h at rest. Meperidine intramuscularly was used to treat postoperative pain on VAS score and patients demand. Total meperidine and anti emetic drug consumption in the first 24 h after surgery was also recorded. The trial is registered at irct.ir, number IRCT201106186829N1.

Results

Patients in the gabapentin group had significantly lower VAS scores at all time intervals, than those in the placebo group. The total meperidine consumed in the gabapentin group was significantly less than in the placebo group. Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and anti emetic drug consumption were significantly decreased in gabapentin group.

Conclusion

Pre-emptive use of gabapentin 600 mg orally, significantly decreases postoperative pain and PONV, and also rescues analgesic and anti emetic drug requirements in patients who undergo abdominal hysterectomy.

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Abbreviations

RCT:

Randomized clinical trial

VAS:

Visual analogue scale

PONV:

Postoperative nausea and vomiting

BMI:

Body mass index

IM:

Intramuscularly

NSAIDs:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

GABA:

Gamma amino butyric acid

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Author notes

  1. Leila Nazari

    Present address: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tajrish Hospital, Tajrish Sq, Tehran, Iran

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran

    Ladan Ajori, Leila Nazari, Mohammad Mohsen Mazloomfard & Zohreh Amiri

Authors
  1. Ladan Ajori
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  2. Leila Nazari
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  3. Mohammad Mohsen Mazloomfard
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  4. Zohreh Amiri
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Correspondence to Leila Nazari.

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Ajori, L., Nazari, L., Mazloomfard, M.M. et al. Effects of gabapentin on postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting after abdominal hysterectomy: a double blind randomized clinical trial. Arch Gynecol Obstet 285, 677–682 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-011-2023-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-011-2023-6

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