The preoperative use of gabapentinoids for the treatment of acute postoperative pain following lumbar spine fixation surgery

A prospective, randomized, controlled, and double-blind trial. Postoperative pain following posterior fixation is caused not only by tissue injury during surgery and is related to inflammatory, neuropathic, and visceral pain. This study aims toanswer the question “Is there a role of gabapentinoids in reducing postoperative pain?” In addition, it demonstrates which gabapentinoidsmaybe used for how long and at what dose. The study was planned as a prospective, randomized, double-blind study. Lumbar posterior fixationwasincluded and patientswere divided into 9 groups. Gabapentinoids and a placebo were administered. Postoperative pain at hours1,6,12, and 24 was evaluated by VAS This study consisted of 252 patients (141 women, 111 men). The median age was 51.62 years. A statistically significant difference was found when VAS-1, VAS-6, VAS-12, and VAS-24 scores were compared between all groups (p˂0.001). Single and low doses of gabapentinoids were found to be ineffective (p˃0.05). Long-term and high-dosegabapentinoids had complications (p˂0.001). Single and high doses of gabapentinoids were effective and safe (p˂0.001). Postoperativeuse of gabapentin for controlling early and late-stage pain is safe and effective. singlesingle and high-dose gabapentin was the first choice. A single and high dose of pregabalin is the second choice