A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of prophylactic gabapentin for prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Research Question: Can prophylactic use of Gabapentin prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy? Objectives: 1) To evaluate the antiemetic effect of gabapentin in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. 2) To compare the incidence and severity of postoperative nausea and vomiting with placebo in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Study Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Material & Methods: This study was carried out to evaluate the antiemetic efficacy of Gabapentin on incidence and severity of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anaesthesia. 100 patients of ASA I and II randomly assigned in two groups were given 600 mg of Gabapentin or matching placebo orally two hours before surgery. Patients were observed postoperatively for 24 hrs for PONV. Results: A complete response (no nausea or vomiting) was observed in 60% of patients in gabapentin group as compared to 38.2% in placebo group. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no difference in the severity of PONV amongst the two groups at Ist, 2nd, 6th, 12th and 24th hour. Thirty four percent of patients in Gabapentin group required rescue antiemetic medication as compared to 54% of patients in placebo group. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Our study reveals that oral Gabapentin, which is used as anticonvulsant and analgesic, may find its use as an antiemetic and its use in prevention of PONV needs further evaluation and research