ABSTRACT

Objective: This study aimed at comparing efficacy of Gabapentin with dexamethasone in terms of frequency of PONV in abdominal surgeries.

Study Design: Quasi experimental comparative study

Place and Duration: conducted at Department of Anesthesiology, Operating Rooms, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad from June 2020 to November 2020.

Materials and Methods: 80 patients who underwent abdominal surgeries were included. As per random allocation, 40 patients in Group A were treated 300 mg of tablet Gabapentin and 40 in group B were treated by Inj. Dexamethasone 8 mg I/V intra operatively. All patients were monitored for 1 hour in PACU to determine PONV status on proforma for VAS score by anesthesiologist who was not involved in study.

Results: - Average age of patients in group A and group B was 40.25±10.46 years and 38.25 ± 10.56 years respectively. There were 39(48.8%) male and 41(51.2%) female. Rate of PONV was significantly less in group B as compared to group A (12.5% vs. 35% p=0.018) which showed that efficacy of dexamethasone was high.

Conclusion: Prophylactic administration of Dexamethasone 8 mg I/V was more effective in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting than Gabapentin in women undergoing abdominal surgeries.

Key Words: Post-operative nausea and vomiting, Gabapentin, Dexamethasone