Abstract

Dr. Kalu EBE, *Dr. Nnaji, Chimaobi TIM and Dr. Okoli Chinwe EDITH

ABSTRACT

Background: Postoperative pain is of significant concern to patients undergoing lower limb surgery. Several pharmacological agents have been used to manage postoperative pain following lower limb orthopaedic surgery with variable results. However, only a few studies compared pregabalin and gabapentin for postoperative pain management of lower limb orthopaedic surgery. Aim: This study evaluated the postoperative analgesic effect of preoperatively administered oral gabapentin and pregabalin in lower limb orthopaedic surgery. Method: Approval for this study was obtained from the Health Research and Ethics Committee of Federal Medical Centre Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. Written informed consent was obtained from each patient before enrolment into the study. A total of 90 patients between the ages of 18 – 65 years, ASA I and II physical status, scheduled for elective lower limb surgery were recruited for this study. They were randomized into three groups to receive either 300mg gabapentin in group G (n = 30), 150mg of pregabalin in group P (n=30), or placebo in group C (n=30). The pain scores, duration of analgesia, total opioid consumption, and side effects of the study drugs were assessed and documented. Data were collected and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Ninety patients completed the study. The mean VAS score at 1st hour was significantly lower in Group P (1.33±0.48), compared with Group G (2.17±0.83) and Group C (3.67±1.61), (p < 0.01). Moreover, the mean duration of analgesia was significantly prolonged in Group P (422.00±39.934 min), compared with Group G (272.07±55.08 min) and Group C (194.27±23.22 min), p