Assessment of the impact of gabapentin on postoperative pain following shoulder open rotator cuff repair: a double-blind clinical trial

• Published in: Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery 2024-11
• Main Authors: Farbood, Arash, Nemati, Maryam, Safari, Samira, Momenzadeh, Omidreza, Banifatemi, Mahsa, Mojahedzadeh, Atefeh, Asmarian, Naeimehossadat
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: analgesic; Gabapentin; open rotator cuff repair; pain; postoperative pain; shoulder
• ISSN: 1058-2746; 1532-6500; 1532-6500
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jse.2024.08.044

Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant used for managing neuropathic pain. Its effectiveness and dosing strategies for postoperative pain, particularly in open shoulder rotator cuff repair, are still debated. This study assesses gabapentin’s impact on postoperative pain intensity in open rotator cuff repair. Sixty eligible patients were randomly distributed into 2 groups: placebo and gabapentin. The gabapentin group received a daily dose of 600 mg, administered in 2 divided increments, beginning 3 days before the surgery and continuing for 1 week postoperatively. Pain intensity, assessed via the Visual Analog Scale, was the primary endpoint during the first postoperative week. Secondary aims conducted on both groups included quantifying opioid consumption, evaluation of side effects attributed to gabapentin and opioids, assessment of sleep quality, and patients’ satisfaction levels with the employed approach. Postoperative pain in the gabapentin group significantly decreased from the first 24 hours until the fourth day postsurgery (P