Perioperative Analgesia Using Gabapentin in Head and Neck Cancer Surgery
Status:
Terminated
Trial end date:
2020-04-06
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Patients undergoing head and neck cancer surgery often have a lot of pain after surgery,
which can lead to a need for a lot of narcotic pain medication. These medications can have
many side effects that can make recovery more difficult including nausea, vomiting,
dizziness, being overly sleepy, itchiness, inability to urinate, confusion, inability to have
a bowel movement, longer time before being able to start walking. These side effects can make
the hospital stay longer. The use of gabapentin, which is a non narcotic pain medication that
focuses on nerve pain, has been used in smaller head and neck surgeries including removal of
tonsils, sinus surgery, thyroid surgery. Studies in patients needing orthopedic or OB/Gyn
surgery have shown improved pain control with gabapentin. Potential benefits to future
patients include improved pain control, less narcotic associated side effects and faster
functional recovery.