Oral Gabapentin in the Management of Post Trans-epithelial Photo-refractive Keratectomy Pain
Hamidreza Hasani1 *
- Alborz University of Medical Sciences
Abstract: To evaluate the effect of oral gabapentin on pain control in the first three days after trans-epithelial photorefractive keratectomy (TPRK).
Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 88 patients who were candidates for T-PRK surgery. In group A, 44 patients received standard treatment including topical betamethasone, chloramphenicol, artificial tears and contact lens; but in group B including 44 patients, oral gabapentin (300 mg daily) was added to standard treatment. Post op date 3 after surgery, patients were evaluated for duration of epithelial repair, pain, epiphora, burning sensation, photophobia and foreign body sensation.
Results: 43 patients (49%) were female and 45 (51%) were male. Numeric Scale of Pain showed that the severity of pain was 3.5±0.4 in group A, and 1.4±0.5 in group B, which the difference was significant (p=0.03). Also, there was no difference regarding the burning sensation (p=0.35), epiphora (p=0.24), foreign body sensation (p=0.44) and photophobia (p=0.19).
Conclusion: Oral gabapentin can decrease post TPRK surgery pain in the first three days after operation.
