Objective:

Gabapentin, an anticonvulsant drug, has been used for its analgesic and anxiolytic properties. The use of gabapentin in the perioperative setting has been studied in recent studies involving adults. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of gabapentine on the postoperative analgesic consumption and emergence delirium of pediatric patients undergoing circumcision under sevoflurane anesthesia.

Material and Methods:

Twenty-five ASA I-II children >3 years of age undergoing circumcision under sevoflurane anesthesia were included in this prospective randomized study. Gabapentin 15 mg kg-1 dissolved in 10 mL saline was given to group G (n=12) children orally 30 min. prior to surgery. Control group (n=13) received 10 mL of saline. Sevoflurane is used as sole anesthetic agent. Penile block was performed to all patients before surgery. Vital signs, preoperative anxiety scores, time to eye openning, Modified Aldrete scores, emergence agitation scores were recor- ded. All parents were contacted 24 hours after surgery to evaluate pain, total analgesic consumption at 24 hr, family satisfaction, and any side effects.

Results:

Demographic data, preoperative anxiety scores, vital signs, Modified Aldrete scores, operation time, time to eye opening, postoperative pain scores and total analgesic consumption at 24 hr, and parent satisfaction did not differ between groups. Emergence agitation score at 10 min, was significantly lower, when compared to the control group.

Conclusion:

The findings of this small series of patient population demonstrated that preoperative oral gabapentin did not have any significant effect on postoperative pain scores and total analgesic consumption at 24 hr, but decrased emergence agitation score at 10 min. postoperatively.

Keywords: Gabapentine, delirium, pediatry