Analgesic effects of preoperative gabapentin after tongue reconstruction with the anterolateral thigh flap.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate gabapentin's role in head and neck cancer surgery following the demonstration of the effectiveness of gabapentin in reducing postoperative pain.


METHODS
Non-randomised open-label trial.


METHODS
Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong.


METHODS
Pain scores, analgesic usage, and the frequency of adverse effects.


METHODS
In patients undergoing anterolateral thigh flap reconstruction after resection of tongue carcinoma, those who had an oral dose of gabapentin before surgery were compared to those who did not.


RESULTS
Postoperative pain was reduced in the gabapentin group (1.2) compared to the control group (1.7) [P=0.05]. In the gabapentin group, mean morphine (patient-controlled analgesia) use (3.5 mg), sedation scores (1.0), and antiemetic usage (0 mg metoclopramide) were all significantly reduced in comparison to the controls with respective figures of 11.4 mg, 1.6, and 12.2 mg.


CONCLUSIONS
Single preoperative doses of gabapentin led to significant reductions in postoperative pain and nausea with reduced analgesic and antiemetic usage, without additional side-effects or increases in operative complications.
Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong. torchiu@surgery.cuhk.edu.hk
T W
TW
Chiu
Czarina C H
CC
Leung
Edgar Y K
EY
Lau
Andrew
A
Burd
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000588:Amines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016058:Analgesia, Patient-Controlled / Q000379:methods; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control; D011300:Preoperative Care; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013848:Thigh; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000588:Amines; D000700:Analgesics; D000932:Antiemetics; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin; D009020:Morphine