Anesthesiologists are a logical choice to provide pain relief in the immediate postoperative period because they are very familiar with the pharmacology of analgesics and local anesthetics. The anticonvulsant gabapentin has proven effective for neuropathic pain in various placebo-controlled clinical trials. The aim of the study was to evaluate preemptive gabapentin on postoperative pain and opioid requirement following head and neck surgeries, and to observe for the change in heart rate, blood pressure, and the incidence of nausea and vomiting.

60 ASA grade I and II patients, who was posted for head and neck surgeries were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group C received B-complex capsule as placebo 2 hours prior to surgery and group S received gabapentin 300mg orally 2 hours before surgery. Pain was assessed using visual analogue scale postoperatively in the 1st 24hrs along with total pethidine requirement. heart rate, blood pressure and adverse effects were noted.

It was noted that gabapentin reduced the postoperative pain (P=0.015) and total pethidine requirement (P=0.001) compared to the control group. Heart rate and blood pressure were lower in the gabapentin group when compared to control group. The incidence of nausea and vomiting (P=0.718) were similar in the gabapentin and control groups.

Gabapentin 300mg given orally 2 hours prior to head and neck surgeries effectively reduced postoperative pain and pethidine requirement in the first 24 hours postoperatively. Gabapentin effectively reduced heart rate, blood pressure in the first 24 hours postoperatively with no significant difference in nausea and vomiting.