Korean J Anesthesiol.  2011 Nov;61(5):367-371. 10.4097/kjae.2011.61.5.367.

Effect of pretreatment with gabapentin on withdrawal movement associated with intravenous rocuronium injection

• Yoon JS
• Jeon HJ
• Cho SS
• Lee JD
• Kang KO
• Ryu SW
• Ko HS

• KMID: 2092316
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2011.61.5.367

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The major disadvantage of rocuronium is the withdrawal movement associated with its injection. The analgesic effect of perioperative gabapentin has been evaluated. We investigated the effects of gabapentin on the withdrawal movement induced by rocuronium injection.
METHODS
86 ASA physical status I or II patients, aged 18-69 years who were scheduled to undergo elective surgery with general anesthesia were enrolled. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups to receive either gabapentin 600 mg or placebo 2 hours prior to surgery. The patient's response to rocuronium injection was graded using a 4-point scale.
RESULTS
The incidence of withdrawal movement after rocuronium administration was significantly lower in the gabapentin group (55.0% in the control group vs 28.6% in the gabapentin group). The number of patients with generalized response indicating severe pain, was 9 (22.5%) in the control group and 3 (7.1%) in the gabapentin group.
CONCLUSIONS
Pretreatment with a single oral dose of gabapentin 600 mg reduced the incidence and severity of withdrawal movement after rocuronium administration.

Keyword

Gabapentin; Injection; Pain; Rocuronium; Withdrawal movement

MeSH Terms

Aged
Amines
Androstanols
Anesthesia, General
Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
Humans
Incidence
Amines
Androstanols
Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid