Gabapentin as a pre-emptive analgesic in modified radical mastectomy

Abstract

Background: To assess the role of gabapentin as a pre-emptive analgesic in modified radical mastectomy (MRM). Methodology: Fifty adult female patients of ASA grade I and II diagnosed with carcinoma breast and posted for Modified Radical Mastectomy under general anesthesia were divided into 2 groups of 25 each. Group A patients received tab. Gabapentin 600mg orally with sips of water 1 hour before surgery and group B did not receive any drug before surgery. All the surgeries were done routine general anaesthesia with endotracheal intubation. Parameters such as sedation score and VAS was recorded and compared in both groups. Results: The mean age in group A was 45.2 years and in group B was 47.6 years. The mean weight in group A was 54.4 kgs and in group B was 55.1 kgs. The mean height was 165.4 cms in group A and 167.2 cms in group B. The mean duration of surgery was 1.6 hours in group A and 2.5 hours in group B. Duration of post- op analgesia was 5.7 hours in group A and 1.9 hours in group B. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). The mean sedation score in group A was 1.7 and in group B was 0.8. The mean VAS score in group A was 5.4 and in group B was 6.9. A significant difference in both groups was observed (P< 0.05). Common side effects was headache was 2 in group A and 1 in group B, constipation was 1 in group A, nausea/ vomiting seen in 6 in group A and 2 in group B, pruritis 1 in group A and urinary retention in 1 in group B. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Pre-emptive tablet Gabapentin prolongs postoperative analgesia as compared to control group. Hence Gabapentin can be safely used with minimum side effects.