Total hip arthroplasty is amongst the most painful procedures postoperatively, and pain management can be a challenge. Different measures have been introduced to manage severe postoperative pain in these patients. Previous studies have investigated gabapentin in acute postoperative pain and demonstrated reduced postoperative pain, postoperative morphine consumption, morphine related side effects, and postoperative pain scores. To date, this analgesia adjunct has yet to be investigated for total joint arthroplasty patients.
The study was submitted to Health Canada and has received the letter of no objection. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial will be conducted. The randomization scheme will be prepared and done by the pharmacy department at McMaster University. Ninety patients undergoing primary hip arthroplasty will be recruited from the preoperative clinic. Forty-five patients in each population will be allocated to a gabapentin group and the other forty-five patients will be allocated to a placebo group.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
103
600mg gabapentin given 2 hrs preoperatively and 200mg three times a day after surgery for 3 days
Half the patients will be randomized to placebo
Hamilton Health Sciences
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Amount of morphine consumption
Time frame: Two years
Side effects
Nausea/Vomiting Sedation Pruritis Visual Disturbance Dizziness/Lightheadness
Time frame: Two years
Pain scores
Pain score at rest in PACU, POD1, POD2, POD3 Pain score upon passive movement in PACU, POD1, POD2, POD3 Pain score with weighbearing on POD1, POD2, POD3
Time frame: Two years
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