Authors : Mohammad Hossein Ghafari , Majid Akrami , Behrang Nouralishahi and Ali Sadegh
Abstract: Gabapentin and clonidine have been used to decrease pain after variety of surgical procedures. We investigated, in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, the efficacy and safety of gabapentin or clonidine on pain after abdominal hysterectomy and on morphine consumption in patients. The 99 patients, ASA physical status I-II were randomized to receive either oral placebo or gabapentin 300 mg or clonidine 100 μg at night (10: 00 pm) before surgery and 1 h pre-operatively. Anesthesia was induced by midazolam 0.03 mg kg-1, fentanyl 2.5 μg kg-1, sodium thiopental 5 mg kg-1 and atracurium 0.5 mg kg-1 and continued by 1 MAC isoflurane, 4 L min-1 fresh gas flow (50% N2O in O2). Heart rate, SPO2, mean arterial pressure, respiratory rate, opioid consumption and patient’s pain intensity (according to VAS) were recorded at the time of recovery and 1, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 h post operatively. All enrolled patients received postoperative intravenous analgesia delivered through a PCA pump. Total morphine consumption and patient’s pain intensity (according to VAS) were lower in gabapentin and clonidine group in comparison to control group (p<0.05). Meanwhile, gabapentin administration significantly decreased morphine consumption after hysterectomy in comparison to clonidine. There were no significant differences between groups in case of complications. Preoperative oral gabapentin (low dose) or clonidine lowers pain score and total morphine consumption for analgesia after abdominal hysterectomy.
Mohammad Hossein Ghafari , Majid Akrami , Behrang Nouralishahi and Ali Sadegh , 2009. Preoperative Gabapentin or Clonidine Decreases Postoperative Pain and Morphine Consumption after Abdominal Hysterectomy. Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 4: 458-463.