Publication:

Gabapentin for post-operative nausea and vomiting: a pilot study

Background Gabapentin has been used in perioperative setting for the management of post-operative pain for surgery performed under general anaesthesia. Post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) even with the use of newer agents remains a major problem. The primary aim of this study was to see if gabapentin use decreased PONV.

Methods A total of 40 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia with standardized premedication and anesthetics were randomized to receive gabapentin or a matching placebo. The patients in Group I received gabapentin 600 mg orally 2 hrs before surgery and 12 hrs after the first dose. The patients in Group II received a matching placebo orally 2 hrs before surgery and 12hrs after the first dose. Patients in both groups received diclofenac sodium 75 mg i.m b.i.d for pain and ondensetron 4 mg i.v for PONV. Additional doses were given on demand and recorded. The treatment was double blinded.

Results The present study did not find significant reduction in PONV score and antiemetic consumption in gabapentin group when compared to a placebo for a period of 24 hrs.

Conclusions Gabapentin in the doses used was found to ineffective in post-operative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing planned laparoscopic cholecystectomy with standardized pre-anaesthetic and anaesthetic medication.