Analgesic Effects of Gabapentin on Post-hysterectomy Pain / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to examine whether gabapentin, a new anti-epileptic agent with relatively low toxicities and side effects, could reduce postoperative pain. METHODS: Thirty-two patients scheduled for an elective total hysterectomy were investigated in this randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study. The patients were randomized to receive either oral gabapentin 400 mg (gabapentin group, n = 16) or a matching placebo capsule (control group, n = 16) the night before and again 30 min before surgery as an adjunct to morphine patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). The visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain at rest and on movement, morphine consumption, overall satisfactions and postoperative side effects including sedation were recorded for 24 h after surgery. RESULTS: Total morphine consumption for 24 h after surgery was not significantly different between the two groups, but mean hourly morphine consumption during the period of 2 6 h after surgery was significantly greater in the control group. Movement VAS of gabapentin group measured at 6 h and 12 h after surgery was significantly lower than those of control group. There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to the sedation score, patient's satisfaction and the frequencies of side effects. CONCLUSIONS: We observed that preoperatively administered oral gabapentin 800 mg reduced postoperative morphine consumption and incidental pain without increasing side effects. The addition of gabapentin to a morphine regimen may lower morphine consumption and provide better pain relief without increasing side effects.

The Effect of Preemptive Local Infiltration of Lidocaine and Gabapentin on Postoperative Pain in Rats / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Preemptive analgesia may improve postoperative antinociceptive treatment that prevents the development of central sensitization which contributes to post-injury pain hypersensitivity. However, beneficial effects of preemptive analgesia appear controversial. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of pre- and post-incisional local infiltration of lidocaine and gabapentin on incisional pain in rats. METHODS: Thirty five male rats were divided into 7 groups; control group (n = 5), pre-lidocaine infiltration group (n = 5), post-lidocaine infiltration group (n = 5), pre-gabapentin 10 mg infiltration group (n = 5), post-gabapentin 10 mg infiltration group (n = 5), pre-gabapentin 30 mg infiltration group (n = 5), and post-gabapentin 30 mg infiltration group (n = 5). To evaluate postoperative mechanical hyperalgesia in injured feet, withdrawal thresholds were measured by calibrated von Frey filaments at 2 hrs, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 days after an incision. RESULTS: The pre-lidocaine infiltration group shows better analgesic effects than post-lidocaine infiltration group until postoperative day 1 (P < 0.05). The gabapentin infiltration groups were effective in postoperative pain management but there were no significant differences between pre- and post- incisional treatment. CONCLUSIONS: A preemptive lidocaine injection has a good analgesic effect on incisional pain. Gabapentin also has a good analgesic effect on incisional pain.