Role of gabapentinoids in post-operative pain management in thoracic surgeries: A single-centre propensity score-matched audit

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The analgesic role of gabapentinoids following thoracic surgeries is not clear. In this study, we evaluated the benefits of gabapentinoids for pain management in patients undergoing thoracic onco-surgery in terms of opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) sparing effect. We also compared pain scores (PSs), number of days of active surveillance by the acute pain service team, and side effects associated with gabapentinoids. METHODS: After ethics-committee approval, data were retrieved retrospectively from clinical sheets, an electronic database, and nurses’ charts from a tertiary cancer care hospital. Propensity score matching was performed for six covariates, that is, age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists grading, surgical approach, analgesia modality, and worst PS in the first 24 hours performed. A total of 272 patients were grouped into group N (not given gabapentinoids, n = 174) and group Y (given, n = 98). RESULTS: The median opioid consumption in terms of fentanyl equivalent by group N was 800 µg [inter-quartile range (IQR): 280–900], and the median opioid consumption by group Y was 400 µg (IQR: 100–690) (p = 0.001). The median number of rescue doses of NSAIDs administered to group N was 8 (IQR = 4–10), and the median number of rescue doses to group Y was 3 (IQR = 2–5) (p = 0.001). No difference was found in subsequent PS and for the number of days under acute pain service surveillance for either group. Group Y had an increased incidence of giddiness compared to group N (p = 0.006), with a relative reduction in post-operative nausea and vomiting scores (p = 0.32). CONCLUSION: Gabapentinoids used following thoracic onco-surgeries result in a significant reduction in concomitant use of NSAIDs and opioids. There is an increased incidence of dizziness with the use of these drugs.