Preoperative Gabapentin for Chronic Pain After Thoracotomy (GABATHOMIE).

Perioperative Gabapentin for Chronic Post-thoracotomy Pain: a Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-controlled Study.

To assess the effects of prolonged preoperative gabapentin treatment (10 days) on chronic pain after thoracotomy.

Randomized, double blind study enrolling 200 adults undergoing thoracotomy. Patients receive either 75 mg hydroxyzine before surgery and placebo 3 times daily for 10 days or 1200 mg gabapentin before surgery continued for 10 days. All patients receive also a thoracic epidural analgesia.

Assessment of chronic pain at 3 month with an evaluation by a physician (pain intensity, pain quality and analgesia requirement).

Assessment of acute pain in the early postoperative period (pain intensity, pain quality and analgesia requirement).

Inclusion Criteria:

• age > 18 years
• elective lung resection via thoracotomy

Exclusion Criteria:

• extended pleurectomy and chest wall resection
• previous ipsilateral thoracotomy
• previous ipsilateral radiotherapy
• thoracotomy for pyothorax
• chest injury
• palliative surgery
• contraindicated placement of a thoracic epidural catheter
• allergy to medications on protocol
• pre-existing pain syndrome
• current treatment with morphine, gabapentin, pregabalin, anticonvulsivants or tricyclic antidepressants
• a history of past or current drug addiction
• severe hepatic, renal or cardiovascular disorders
• inability to understand the study protocol or to answer the questionnaires on pain and quality of life
• severe psychiatric disorders
• incompetent adults under some form of guardianship
• refusal of the protocol
• persons without social security coverage
• pregnant or lactating woman