Effect of Preoperative Gabapentin With a Concomitant Adductor Canal Block on Pain and Opioid Usage After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND

An adductor canal block (ACB) and preoperative oral gabapentin have each been shown to decrease postoperative pain scores and opioid usage in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS

This study evaluated the efficacy of preoperative gabapentin on postoperative analgesia in patients who received an ACB. We hypothesized that patients undergoing ACL reconstruction with an ACB who utilized a single dose of preoperative oral gabapentin would have decreased pain and opioid consumption in the 24 to 72 hours after surgery compared with patients who did not utilize gabapentin.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

Between January and October 2016, patients at a single institution who underwent ACL reconstruction and received an ACB were identified. Patients who underwent surgery before May 2016 were placed in the control group, and patients seen after May 2016 received a preoperative dose of gabapentin and were placed in the gabapentin group. All patients completed a pain log via a smartphone application to record pain scores and opioid usage after surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 74 patients were identified: 41 in the gabapentin group and 33 in the control group. There were no significant differences between groups in demographics and operative characteristics. There were no differences in pain scores on postoperative day 1 (gabapentin vs control: 5.53 vs 5.56;

CONCLUSION

Preoperative gabapentin did not reduce pain scores or opioid usage in patients who received an ACB and underwent ACL reconstruction in this retrospective cohort study.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

One or more of the authors has declared the following potential conflict of interest or source of funding: S.K. has received educational support from Arthrex and Smith & Nephew and has received consulting and speaking fees from Smith & Nephew. J.X. has received educational support from Arthrex, Linvatec, and VisionScope Technologies; has received consulting fees from Arthrex, Linvatec, and Trice Medical; has received speaking fees from Arthrex; and receives royalties from Arthrex. AOSSM has not conducted an independent investigation on the OPD and disclaims any liability or responsibility relating thereto.