Effect of Gabapentin on Postoperative Pain, Nausea, Vomiting and Requirement of Analgesia in First 24 Hours in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Under General Anaesthesia - A Randomized Double Blind Placebo Controlled Study

Introduction: Postoperative pain, nausea, and vomiting are frequent and unpleasant adverse effects associated with anaesthesia and surgery. Objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of oral gabapentin on postoperative pain, nausea, vomiting and requirement of analgesia in first 24hours (hrs) in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 patients posted for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included in this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. Patients were divided randomly into two groups (Group A and Group B) of 30 patients (n=30) each with the help of computer generated random number table. Group A patients received two doses of 300 mg gabapentin: first dose evening before surgery and second dose 2hrs before induction. Group B patients received matching placebo tablets of same size and shape as gabapentin tablets. All patients were observed for (pain measured by visual analogueue scale, VAS), nausea, vomiting, need of opioids and antiemetics in first 24hours postoperatively. In addition, Pulse Rate (PR), Non-Invasive blood pressure (NIBP); systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were analyzed pre and postoperatively. Results: Both groups were comparable with respect to demographic profile (p>0.05). Change in PR and NIBP between the two groups were insignificant (p>0.05). Pain score in gabapentin group at 1,6,12 and 24hours (hrs) postoperatively was significantly less than placebo group ( p<0.001). Conclusion: Administration of gabapentin evening before surgery and 2 hours before induction significantly decreased the incidence of postoperative pain, nausea, and vomiting.