Gabapentin and Chronic Post Surgical Pain

The Use of Perioperative Gabapentin in Adolescents Undergoing Posterior Spinal Fusion for Idiopathic Scoliosis to Prevent Chronic Postsurgical Pain, a Pilot Study.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of a common pain medication (gabapentin) on chronic postsurgical pain in pediatric patients who require surgery for idiopathic scoliosis.

Pain after surgery can last for a long time. When it lasts for over two months, it is considered chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP). This is a problem in kids and adolescents that can impact many areas of the patient's life and their family. Many patients who undergo surgery for their scoliosis develop CPSP. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of a common pain medication (gabapentin) on chronic postsurgical pain in pediatric patients who require surgery for idiopathic scoliosis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Be aged 10-18 years at the time of surgery
• Have a diagnosis of idiopathic scoliosis and/or kyphosis
• Be undergoing elective posterior spinal fusion
• Have only mild systemic disease

Exclusion Criteria:

• A diagnosis of neuromuscular scoliosis and/or kyphosis
• A diagnosis of chronic pain
• Used opioids in the past 6 months
• Developmental delay
• Liver or kidney disease
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Body mass index >40
• Be pregnant or breastfeeding