Gabapentin in Acute Postoperative Pain Management

Abstract

Gabapentin (1-aminomethyl-cyclohexaneacetic acid) is an amino acid that has the structure of the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). It is a novel drug used for the treatment of postoperative pain with antihyperalgesic properties and a unique mechanism of action. Gabapentin and the related, more potent compound pregabalin have been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of neuropathic pain as well as postoperative pain following spinal surgery and hysterectomy. This study reviews five aspects of gabapentin: (1) chemical and structural characteristics; (2) pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics; (3) application in acute pain management; (4) adverse effects; and (5) drug safety. Overall, gabapentin has been reported to be a safe and efficacious drug for the treatment of postoperative pain.

Perioperative gabapentin as a component of multimodal analgesia for postoperative pain after total knee arthroplasty

“…In a study using gabapentin for hysterectomy pain, PONV was more common in the control group than in the treatment group. Studies have revealed that gabapentin reduces PONV [8,30]. In our study, there was no significant difference in the incidence of vomiting between the two groups, while nausea was 50% less frequent in the treatment group 6-11 h postoperatively, which is consistent with other studies [8,21].…”

“…Gabapentinoid drugs have relatively mild side effects, but high doses can cause dizziness, sedation, nausea, loss of balance, lower limb edema, urinary retention, constipation, and pruritus [11,12,30]. Several studies using gabapentinoids for acute postsurgical pain have reported PONV.…”

Can perioperative haemodynamics and opioid requirement in Abdominal Hysterectomy be influenced by a premedication drug?

“…2 Opioids are used during perioperative period in several patients. 3,4 The limitations of opioids include their side effects. Also not all patients respond well to opioids.…”

Possibility of pre-emptive analgesia with gabapentin for laparoscopic surgeries in gynecologic oncology

“…Как в наших наблюдениях, так и по данным литературы у этих пациентов сущес-твенно быстрее купировались симптомы общемозгового синдрома. Длительность и интенсивность общемозгового синдрома яв-ляется основным содержанием клинических проявлений лёгкой и среднетяжёлой череп-но-мозговой травмы, и его скорейшая коррек-ция -важная задача лечения при черепно-мозговой травме [4]. ВЫВОДЫ 1.…”

“…Применение габапен-тина перед операцией служит эффективным методом контроля предоперационной тре-вожности. Установлено, что применение га-бапентина после тиреоидэктомий позволяет блокировать позднюю послеоперационную боль [4].…”