PRE-EMPTIVE ORAL GABAPENTIN FOR POSTOPERATIVE PAIN RELIEF IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING MIDDLE EAR SURGERIES –A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Background Pain is subjective unpleasant experience with psychosomatic problems. Many modalities for pain relief have been implemented.Gabapentin modulates both central and peripheral nociceptive responses. Method 60 adult patients of either gender were divided into two groups of 30 each with group G receiving  600 mg of gabapentin andGroup P matched placebo orally 2 hours prior to surgery. Postoperative analgesia was judged by using VAS score. WhenVAS score was >3Inj. Diclofenac 75mg  was given intravenously. Results VAS scores were significantly lower on first postoperative day in gabapentin group as compared to placebo group ( P  < 0.01). Conclusion Pre-emptive administration of 600 mg of gabapentin results in significant reduction in the requirement of analgesics in immediate post operative period.