The Efficacy of Gabapentin + Dexamethasone for Postoperative Analgesia Following Septoplasty: A Prospective Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

Aims: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of gabapentin, dexamethasone, and gabapentin + dexamethasone for pain control after septoplasty.

Materials and methods: This prospective randomized trial included 120 patients that underwent septoplasty and were randomly divided into 4 groups: group G (preoperative gabapentin 600 mg p.o.); group D (intraoperative dexamethasone 8 mg i.v.); group GD (preoperative gabapentin 600 mg p.o. + intraoperative dexamethasone 8 mg i.v.); group C (placebo control).

Results: The median VAS score was significantly lower in groups G and GD at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours postsurgery than in group C (P < .008 for all). The median VAS score was significantly lower in group D than in group C at 1, 2, and 4 hours postsurgery (P < .008 for all). There weren't any significant differences in the VAS score between groups D, G, and GD at any time point. Groups G, D, and GD had a significantly lower frequency of rescue analgesic use than group C; however, there were no differences between groups G, GD, and C (P < .001 and P = .108, respectively).

Conclusion: Gabapentin, dexamethasone, and gabapentin + dexamethasone are equally more effective analgesics during the first 4 hours postsurgery than placebo. The addition of dexamethasone to gabapentin does not provide extra analgesia. Both gabapentin and gabapentin + dexamethasone have a more prolonged analgesic effect than dexamethasone alone.