Association 'Between Gabapentinoids on the Day of Colorectal Surgery and Adverse Postoperative Respiratory Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the association between gabapentinoids on the day of surgery and adverse postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing colorectal surgery in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Gabapentinoids, gabapentin and pregabalin, are recommended in multimodal analgesia protocols for acute postoperative pain management after colorectal surgery. However, current literature focuses on the efficacy in reducing opioid consumption, but provides limited information about adverse risks.

METHODS: This was a retrospective study including 175,787 patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery using the Premier database between 2009 and 2014. Multilevel regression models measured associations of receipt of gabapentinoids with naloxone use after surgery, non-invasive ventilation (NIV), invasive ventilation (IMV), hospital length of stay (LOS), and parental morphine equivalents (PMEs) on the day of surgery and on the day before discharge.

RESULTS: Overall, 4677 (2.7%) patients received gabapentinoids on the day of surgery, with use doubling (1.7% in 2009 to 4.3% in 2014). Compared with patients who were unexposed to ganapentinoids, gabapentinoid exposure was associated with lower PMEs on the day of surgery [-2.7 mg; 95% confidence interval (CI), -5.2 to -0.0 mg], and with higher odds of NIV [odds ratio (OR) 1.22, 95% CI, 1.00-1.49] and receipt of naloxone (OR 1.58, 95% CI, 1.11-2.26). There was no difference between the groups with respect to IMV or PMEs on the day before discharge.

CONCLUSIONS: Although use of gabapentinoids on the day of surgery was associated with slightly lower PMEs on the day of surgery, it was associated with higher odds of NIV and naloxone use after surgery.