Arthroscopic shoulder surgery is increasingly performed as a day case procedure. Nausea, vomiting and inadequate pain control are the most frequent reasons for reattendance or failed discharge. Gabapentin is advocated as an adjunct to mitigate these symptoms and its use in shoulder arthroscopy may provide improved post-operative symptom control. The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of studies evaluating the role of gabapentin in the peri-operative management of shoulder arthroscopy.

Gabapentin is associated with significant improvements in post-operative nausea, vomiting and pain control after shoulder arthroscopy.

A systematic review using Medline was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Randomised controlled trials studies reporting on patients >15 years old receiving either preoperative gabapentin or placebo before any shoulder arthroscopic surgery were considered for eligibility. Studies were appraised against the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) checklist. A meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3.

Four randomized controlled trials were identified for inclusion (n=227). Meta-analysis demonstrated a beneficial effect of gabapentin in preventing nausea and vomiting in the postoperative period (Odds Ratio 0.30, p=0.04). However, pooled data analysis did not show significant advantage in using gabapentin for postoperative pain control (p=0.11), although one study demonstrated a significant reduction in opioid consumption after gabapentin. No significant difference was reported in post-operative dizziness or sedation between the groups.

Gabapentin did not show any significant benefit in postoperative pain control but is associated with significant reductions in post-operative nausea and vomiting after shoulder arthroscopy.

I, meta-analysis.