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.

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