Comparison of Low Dose Gabapentin and Diclofenac Efficacy for Postoperative Pain Reduction after Abdominal Hysterectomy: a Randomized Clinical Trial

Diclofenac is one of common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is used for postoperative pain relief. There are some limitations to diclofenac usage. Finding alternative methods that are safe and effective is very important. Gabapantin is one of cheap, available, and low side effects in low dose drug that is considered as postoperative pain relief supplement. This study aimed to comparison of effect of low dose gabapentin and diclofenac for postoperative pain reduction after abdominal hysterectomy. A double blinded randomized trial conducted on 100 undergoing hysterectomy patients in Al-zahra hospital from 2013 to 2014. Patients were randomly assigned in two equal number groups. Patients in one of group received 300 mg gabapentin orally and placebo rectally patients in other group received placebo orally and 100 mg diclofenac rectally in 8 and 16 hours after hysterectomy. Pain was assessed using numeric rating scale (NRS) in 12 and 24 hours after surgery. Pethedine consumption and adverse effects over 24 hours after surgery were recorded. Mean of pain score in 12 hours after surgery were 4.10 ± 0.84 in gabapentin group and 3.94 ± 0.68 in declofenac group that this difference between two group was not significant (P = 0.228). Mean of pain score in 24 hours after surgery were 3.50 ± 0.86 and 3.44 ± 0.79 in gabapentin and declofenac groups, respectively, that this difference was not significant (P = 0.593). Only one patient in diclofenac group requested pethedine after intervention (P = 1.0). Over 24 hours after surgery there were no significant difference between two groups in term of incidence of nausea (P=0.241), vomiting (P = 1.0) and dizziness (P = 0.487). Based on result of this study gabapentin is as effective as declofenac on pain reduction after hysterectomy that can be a suitable replacement for diclofenac. Trial registration Number: IRCT2012111710089N2 Conflict of interest: non declared