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Gabapentin for Postoperative Vomiting in Children Requiring Posterior Fossa Tumor Resection
Ko-Chun Tsai1, Yung-Li Yang2, Pi-Chuan Fan3
1Division of Pediatric, Taipei Hospital, Department of Health, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Insights
Gabapentin effectively treated refractory nausea and vomiting in pediatric patients after craniotomy for medulloblastoma. This suggests gabapentin as a potential novel antiemetic therapy for similar cases.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Pediatric Oncology
Background:
- Gabapentin is recognized for its analgesic and antiepileptic properties.
- Its antiemetic potential, particularly in pediatric neurosurgery patients, remains under-explored.
Observation:
- Two children with medulloblastoma experienced severe, refractory postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after craniotomy.
- Conventional antiemetic treatments failed to provide relief for their symptoms.
Findings:
- Gabapentin administration led to complete resolution of nausea and vomiting in both pediatric patients.
- Symptoms improved from multiple daily episodes to zero episodes after gabapentin treatment.
Implications:
- Gabapentin may represent a novel therapeutic option for managing refractory PONV in pediatric patients.
- Further research into gabapentin's antiemetic effects in neurosurgical contexts is warranted.
Abstract:
Gabapentin is well known for its pain control and antiepileptic effect, but its antiemetic effect is poorly investigated. Here we report on effective gabapentin use for refractory vomiting after craniotomy in two children with medulloblastoma in the fourth ventricle. The two pediatric patients (an 11-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy) underwent near-total excision of the tumor via craniotomy. Both patients suffered from refractory postoperative nausea and vomiting, treated with multiple traditional antiemetic drugs but without relief. After gabapentin intake, their nausea and vomiting improved from one to two episodes per day to complete resolution of symptoms. This report suggests that gabapentin may be a novel antiemetic therapeutic intervention for patients with refractory nausea and vomiting after craniotomy.
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