Comparison of effects of gabapentin and pregabalin on postoperative analgesic requirement, urynary retention and nausea-vomitting in patients undergoing spinal anesthesia

Urinary retention and nausea-vomitting are the complications commonly encountered in patients undergoing anorectal surgery under spinal anesthesia. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of gabapentin and pregabalin on urinary retention and nausea-vomitting by taking advantage of their analgesic effect.Ninety ASA I and II patients aged between 18 and 60 undergoing anorectal surgery were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided into three groups. Patients in group G were given 300 mg gabapentin, in group P were given 75 mg pregabalin and in group C were given placebo capsul via oral route 2 hours before the operation. Spinal anesthesia administered to patients between L4-5 spine with 25 gauge spinal needle and used 4 ml levobupivakaine and 25 µg fentanyl. Analgesic requirement, ürinary retention, nausea-vomitting and other side effects were recorded on postoperative 12 hours.The number of patients with recieving analgesic treatment (VAS score higher than 3) were significantly lower in group G and P than in group C(p<0.05). The incidence of urinary retention was significantly lower in group G and P than in group C. (p<0.05) There was no significant difference in nausea and vomitting between three groups.We concluded that prophylactic gabapentin and pregabalin were effective in prevention of urinary retention after spinal anesthesia.Keywords: Spinal anesthesia, Anorectal surgery, Urinary retention, Gabapentin, Pregabalin.