Effects of Gabapentin on Postoperative Pain Following Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Background and Postoperative pain is the most common problem after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This study assessed the effect of gabapentin on postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In this study 80 patients aged 20-60 (ASA class I، II) who were candidates for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized into two groups to receive gabapentin 600 mg (n=40) and placebo (n=40). The pain was evaluated by a visual analogue scale (VAS) at 2، 4، 6، 8، 12، 18، and 24 hour post operation. Intravenous morphine was administrated to treat postoperative pain on VAS>3. Morphine consumption and pain scores were recorded. The means of intravenous morphine consumption were 2. 5 ± 2. 6 mg and 2. 7 ± 2. 7 mg in the gabapentin group and the placebo group، respectively which showed no significant difference between the two groups (P>0. 05). We also found no significant difference in the average pain score of the two groups in the first 24 hours after surgery (P>0. 05). According to this study، the analgesic effect of gabapentin at a single dose of 600 mg before laparoscopic cholecystectomy is not obvious، so we recommend it at repeated and higher doses.