Title: Comparison of Dexamethasone and Gabapentin alone or in Combination for Controlling Pain in Patients of Adenotonsillectomy

Authors: Archana Agrawal, Somnath Longani

 DOI:  https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i3.121

Abstract

Background: Tonsillectomy is surgical removal of tonsils. It is usually combined with an adenoidectomy, which is the removal of the adenoid. The present study was conducted to assess the role of gabapentin and dexamethasone alone or in combination in the management of postoperative pain following adenotonsillectomy.

Materials & Methods: The present study was conducted on 84 patients underwent adenotonsillectomy. All were divided into 2 groups of 42 each. Group I (42) received Gabapentin 10mg/kg 2 hour before induction of anesthesia. Group II received combination of both Gabapentin 10mg/kg 2 h before induction of anesthesia and 0.15 mg/kg dexamethasone after induction of anesthesia. In all groups, pain score was recorded.

Results: Mean age in group I was 24.6± 4.5 and in group II was 25.1± 5.2 years. Weight in group I was 66.8± 8.2 Kg and in group II was 64.0± 6.4 Kg in group II. Duration of anesthesia in group I was 34.6± 1.2 minutes and in group II was 35.2± 1.6 minutes. Pethidine consumption in group I was 8.6± 4.8 mg and in group II was 5.4± 4.2 mg. The difference was significant (P- 0.02). Post- operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) was 25% in group I and 22% in group II. The difference was non- significant (P- 0.1). The pain score in group I was 0.94±1.24 and in group II was 0.67±0.78 after 2 hours, 1.42±1.62 and 0.95±0.22 after 4 hours in group I and group II respectively after 4 hours, 2.80±0.92 in group I and 1.22±0.94 in group II after 6 hours and 5.52±0.22 in group I and 4.62±1.25 in group II respectively. The difference was significant (P< 0.05).

Conclusion: Gabapentin along with Dexamethasone proved to be effective in controlling post operative pain in patients undergoing adenotonsillectomy.

Keywords: Adenotonsillectomy, Dexamethasone, Gabapentin.

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Corresponding Author

Dr Somnath Longani

Associate Professor, Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care,

HIMS, Safedabad, Barabanki, U.P