title: Effect of preoperative gabapentin on pain intensity and development of chronic pain after carpal tunnel syndrome surgical treatment in women: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Effective postoperative analgesia is important for reducing the incidence of chronic pain. This study evaluated the effect of preoperative gabapentin on postoperative analgesia and the incidence of chronic pain among patients undergoing carpal tunnel syndrome surgical treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, double-blind controlled trial, Federal University of São Paulo Pain Clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty patients aged 18 years or over were randomized into two groups: Gabapentin Group received 600 mg of gabapentin preoperatively, one hour prior to surgery, and Control Group received placebo. All the patients received intravenous regional anesthesia comprising 1% lidocaine. Midazolam was used for sedation if needed. Paracetamol was administered for postoperative analgesia as needed. Codeine was used additionally if the paracetamol was insufficient. The following were evaluated: postoperative pain intensity (over a six-month period), incidence of postoperative neuropathic pain (over a six-month period), need for intraoperative sedation, and use of postoperative paracetamol and codeine. The presence of neuropathic pain was established using the DN4 (Douleur Neuropathique 4) questionnaire. Complex regional pain syndrome was diagnosed using the Budapest questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No differences in the need for sedation, control over postoperative pain or incidence of chronic pain syndromes (neuropathic or complex regional pain syndrome) were observed. No differences in postoperative paracetamol and codeine consumption were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preoperative gabapentin (600 mg) did not improve postoperative pain control, and did not reduce the incidence of chronic pain among patients undergoing carpal tunnel syndrome surgery.
authors.affiliation: MD, MSc. Anesthesist, Department of Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eduardo Jun
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Sadatsune
authors.affiliation: MD, PhD. Professor, Department of Medicine I, Universidade Federal do Maranhão (UFMA), São Luís, MA, Brazil.
authors.forename: Plínio da Cunha
authors.initials: Pda C
authors.lastname: Leal
authors.affiliation: MD. Professor, Department of Medicine I, Universidade Federal do Maranhão (UFMA), São Luís, MA, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rachel Jorge Dino
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Cossetti
authors.affiliation: MD, PhD. Professor, Department of Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rioko Kimiko
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Sakata
mesh_terms: D000588:Amines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous / Q000379:methods; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015990:Placebo Effect; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000588:Amines; D000700:Analgesics; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin