Overview

Perioperative Analgesia Using Gabapentin in Head and Neck Cancer Surgery

Status:
Terminated
Trial end date:
2020-04-06
Target enrollment:
0
Participant gender:
All
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.
Phase:
Phase 3
Accepts Healthy Volunteers?
No
Details
Lead Sponsor:
University of California, Davis
Treatments:
Gabapentin
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

- Patients undergoing major head and neck surgery with concomitant free flap
reconstruction surgery at UCDMC (oncology and non-oncologic): There will be two
groups. Group 1 will include reconstruction with fibula free flap only. Group 2 will
include any other free flap reconstruction, including scapular free flap, radial
forearm free flap, anterolateral thigh free flap, anteromedial thigh free flap, and
latissimus dorsi free flap.

- Patients naïve to gabapentin

- Adult patients >18 years of age and able to consent

Exclusion Criteria:

- Patients who are already taking scheduled gabapentin

- Patients allergic to gabapentin

- Chronic opioid use not from active head and neck cancer

- Illicit drug use (per report)

- Patients with known renal compromise, such that Creatinine clearance is < 30

- Patient with known hepatic insufficiency or cirrhosis

- Adults unable to consent

- Individuals less than 18 years old

- Pregnant women

- Prisoners