ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Development of new multimodal analgesic regimens have led to substantial improvement in postoperative pain relief. We designed this study to compare the effect of combined vitamin B complex-gabapentin versus gabapentin alone on postoperative pain in women undergoing cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. METHODS: One hundred twenty-eight women who underwent cesarean section under spinal anesthesia were randomized to receive orally 300âmg gabapentin (group G) or 300âmg of gabapentin plus 2 vitamin B complex (group GB) tablets 30âminutes before surgery. Postoperative pain intensity and total analgesic consumption during 12âhours after surgery, vomiting, and drowsiness during recovery were assessed. RESULTS: The pain intensity in the gabapentin plus vitamin B complex group was lower than gabapentin group during 12âhours after surgery (95% CI: 1.4-2.2; Pâ<â.001). Meanwhile, the total analgesic consumption in this group was less than gabapentin alone (95% CI: 1.07-1.24; Pâ=â0.034). The incidence of vomiting in patients who receive combined gabapentin-vitamin B complex group was similar to gabapentin alone (Pâ=â.206). The difference of the distribution of the relative frequency of sedation according to Ramsay sedation scores in patients between 2 groups were insignificant (Pâ=â.82). All newborns in our study were free of any adverse effects. CONCLUSION: Addition of vitamin B complex to gabapentin reduced intensity of postoperative pain and also the total amount of analgesic consumption within the first 12âhours postoperative following cesarean section.