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Large Doses of Methylprednisolone Combined With Gabapentin in Total Knee Arthroplasty

Phase 4
Completed
Conditions
Knee Osteoarthritis
Pain, Postoperative
Arthroplasty Complications
Perioperative Complication
Interventions
Drug: Tablet
Drug: Normal Saline 10 mL Injection
Registration Number
NCT04653415
Lead Sponsor
Jagiellonian University
Brief Summary

The aim of the study was to assess whether administration of gabapentin and methylprednisolone as "pre-emptive analgesia" in a group of patients above 65 years of age would be effective in complex pain management therapy following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). For the study investigators will qualify one hundred seventy, above 65 years old patients. The participants will be double-blind randomized into two groups: the study and controls The study group will receive as "pre-emptive" analgesia a single dose of 300 mg oral gabapentin and 125 mg intravenous methylprednisolone, while the others placebo. Perioperatively, all the patients will receive opioid and nonopioid analgesic agents calculated for 1 kg of body weight. Investigators will measure the levels of inflammatory markers (leukocytosis, C-reactive protein - CRP), pain intensity level at rest (numerical rating scale - NRS), the life parameters and all complications.

Detailed Description

The aim of the study was to assess whether administration of gabapentin and methylprednisolone as "pre-emptive analgesia" in a group of patients above 65 years of age would be effective in complex pain management therapy following total knee arthroplasty (TKA).170 patients operated on due to unilateral TKA will be double-blinded randomized into two groups: the study and the controls. Exclusion criteria are: clinical situation that 1/ restricted glucocorticoid administration: diabetes type 1 and 2, CRP levels above normal values (≥5 mg/l), chronic steroid treatment, peptic ulcers treated in the past 30 days and 2/and the chronic pain in the course of gonarthrosis, high intensity requiring use opioids.

The participants of the study will be subjected to the standardized procedure of subarachnoid anesthesia with subsequent unilateral femoral nerve block at the operated side, followed by the surgical procedure - unilateral TKA. The study group will receive as "pre-emptive" analgesia a single dose of 300 mg oral gabapentin and 125 mg intravenous methylprednisolone, while the others placebo. Prior to anesthesia induction, the patients receive: anti-infection prophylactics intravenous cephazolin 2.0 g, for hemostasis control - tranexamic acid 1.0 g, an anti-emetic agent - ondansetron 8 mg. Fluid supply (crystalloids) will be standardized: 12 ml/kg in the first hour of surgery and 6 ml/kg in the following hours, packed red blood cells if blood loss exceeded 600 ml and hemoglobin concentration \<10g/l during the time of operation. Pain management will be carried out based on the results of the NRS scales at rest. Every 6 hours NRS will be checked and intravenous PCA (patient-controlled analgesia) oxycodone hydrochloride, if pain was ≥4 points NRS or intravenous paracetamol, metamizole, if the pain was 2 - 4 NRS points will be administered, all pain medications will be calculated for 1 kg of body weight. In keeping with the ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) protocol, on the day of surgery the patients will receive orally fluids and meals, will be mobilized and rehabilitated.

The study was approved by the institutional review board (nr 1072.6120.11.2020). Oral and written informed consent to participate in the study will be collected from all participants of the study. The statistical analysis of the groups will be performed to asess the demographic dates, life parameters, general condition in keeping with the ASA (American Society of Anesthesiology), POSSUM (Physiologic and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and Morbidity) score, total dose of analgesic medications administered parenterally calculated for 1 kg of body mass in response to value of NRS at rest on day 0, time of administration the first dose, and duration of peripheral nerve block. On the day of surgery and on subsequent days, determinations will be made of glycemia levels and inflammatory markers: C-reactive protein (CRP) and leukocytosis levels.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
160
Inclusion Criteria
  • patients over 65 years old operated on unilateral total knee arthroplasty
Exclusion Criteria
  • diabetes type 1 and 2,
  • CRP levels above normal values (≥5 mg/l),
  • chronic steroid treatment,
  • peptic ulcers treated in the past 30 days,
  • chronic pain in the course of gonarthrosis,

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Study GroupGabapentin 300mgThe study group will receive as "pre-emptive" analgesia a single dose of 300 mg oral gabapentin and 125 mg intravenous methylprednisolone.
Controls groupNormal Saline 10 mL InjectionThe controls group will receive placebo orally - a tablet without any pharmacological properties, intravenously - saline solution.
Controls groupTabletThe controls group will receive placebo orally - a tablet without any pharmacological properties, intravenously - saline solution.
Study GroupMethylprednisolone 125 mgThe study group will receive as "pre-emptive" analgesia a single dose of 300 mg oral gabapentin and 125 mg intravenous methylprednisolone.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Leukocytosis levelchange in 0,1,2,3 days after surgery

Leukocytosis level measured in µL

the dose of parenteral analgesics agents24 hours

Dose of oxycodone hydrochloride in mg/kg body weight, paracetamol in mg/kg body weight, metamizole in g/kg body weight

C-reactive protein (CRP) levelchange in 0,1,2,3 days after surgery

C-reactive protein (CRP) level measured in mg/l

Pain intensity assessed by NRSchange in every 6 hours on day 0

The level of postoperative pain measured in the numerical rating scale (NRS) at rest (minimum 0 - no pain, maximum 10 - the maximum of pain).

Adverse effects14 day after surgery

The occurrence of adverse effects that would delay early rehabilitation, possible complication development, perioperative mortality to the POSSUM scale, comorbidities

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Duration of femoral nerve blockadeon the day of surgery

The time of femoral nerve block

Blood glucose levelchange in 0,1,2,3 days after surgery

The level of glucose in blood in mmol/l

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University Hospital in Krakow

🇵🇱

Krakow, Malopolska, Poland

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