• T W Chiu, Czarina C H Leung, Edgar Y K Lau, and Andrew Burd.
• Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong. torchiu@surgery.cuhk.edu.hk
• Hong Kong Med J. 2012 Feb 1;18(1):30-4.

ObjectiveTo investigate gabapentin's role in head and neck cancer surgery following the demonstration of the effectiveness of gabapentin in reducing postoperative pain.DesignNon-randomised open-label trial.SettingPrince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong.Main Outcome MeasuresPain scores, analgesic usage, and the frequency of adverse effects.PatientsIn patients undergoing anterolateral thigh flap reconstruction after resection of tongue carcinoma, those who had an oral dose of gabapentin before surgery were compared to those who did not.ResultsPostoperative pain was reduced in the gabapentin group (1.2) compared to the control group (1.7) [P=0.05]. In the gabapentin group, mean morphine (patient-controlled analgesia) use (3.5 mg), sedation scores (1.0), and antiemetic usage (0 mg metoclopramide) were all significantly reduced in comparison to the controls with respective figures of 11.4 mg, 1.6, and 12.2 mg.ConclusionSingle preoperative doses of gabapentin led to significant reductions in postoperative pain and nausea with reduced analgesic and antiemetic usage, without additional side-effects or increases in operative complications.

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