title: The use of gabapentin in the management of postoperative pain after total hip arthroplasty: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pain management after total hip arthroplasty (THA) varies and has been widely studied in recent years. Gabapentin as a third-generation antiepileptic drug that selectively affects the nociceptive process has been used for pain relief after THA. This meta-analysis was conducted to examine the efficacy of gabapentin in THA.
  
  
  METHODS
  An electronic-based search was conducted using the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving gabapentin and a placebo for THA were included. The meta-analysis was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five trials met the inclusion criteria. The cumulative narcotic consumption and the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at 24 and 48 h postoperatively were used for postoperative pain assessment. There was a significant decrease in morphine consumption at 24 h (P = 0.00). Compared with the control group, the VAS score (at rest) at 48 h was less in the gabapentin group (P = 0.00).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The administration of gabapentin is effective in decreasing postoperative narcotic consumption and the VAS score.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Hospital, No. 406 Jiefang South Road, Hexi District, Tianjin City, 300211, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, No.24 Fukang Road, Nankai District, Tianjin City, 300192, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Dan
authors.initials: XD
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Hospital, No. 406 Jiefang South Road, Hexi District, Tianjin City, 300211, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hong-Qiang
authors.initials: HQ
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Hospital, No. 406 Jiefang South Road, Hexi District, Tianjin City, 300211, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jian-Xiong
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Hospital, No. 406 Jiefang South Road, Hexi District, Tianjin City, 300211, People's Republic of China. orthtj@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Xin-Long
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Ma
mesh_terms: D000588:Amines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019468:Disease Management; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000588:Amines; D000700:Analgesics; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin
keywords: Gabapentin; Meta-analysis; Total hip arthroplasty