Bala, I., Bharti, N., Chaubey, V.K., & Mandal, A.K. (2012). Efficacy of gabapentin for prevention of postoperative catheter-related bladder discomfort in patients undergoing transurethral resection of bladder tumor. Urology, 79, 853–857.
To evaluate the effect of 600 mg and 1200 mg oral gabapentin pretreatment for the prevention of postoperative catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD) in patients undergoing catheterization after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT)
Patients were randomized to three groups. Group I received four placebo capsules. Group II received two capsules of 300 mg gabapentin and two identical placebo capsules. Group III received four capsules of 300 mg gabapentin. All patients received the study drug orally, with sips of water, one hour prior to administration of anesthesia. Lumbar subarachnoid block was administered with 2.5 ml 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine. An anesthesiologist unaware of group assignment observed patients in the Postanesthesia Care Unit (PACU) at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours.
Active antitumor treatment
Randomized controlled double-blind trial
Pretreatment with gabapentin reduces bladder discomfort in patients with an indwelling postoperative catheter. Gabapentin 1200 mg is more effective than gabapentin 600 mg in decreasing the incidence and severity of CRBD.
To decrease the postoperative discomfort of patients undergoing catheterization after transurethral resection of bladder tumor, nurses may want to advocate for the preoperative use of 1200 mg gabapentin.