Gabapentin to Reduce Opioid Use Postoperatively (GROUP) in Children

RecruitingPhase 2/3

Who can join

Up to age 17 · All sexes

Full eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age newborn to \< 18 years.
2. Gestational age to be minimum 38 weeks.
3. Undergo cardiac surgery via a sternotomy or thoracotomy. OR Any Thoracic Surgery OR Planned noncardiac surgery via a thoracotomy or Video Assisted Thoracotomy (VATS).
4. Surgery will result in an inpatient stay of at least 48 hours.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Use of opioids within 30 days prior to study entry.
2. Renal Failure as defined by RIFLE Criteria.
3. History of seizures requiring active treatment.
4. History of chronic pain treated medically.
5. Diagnosis of Autism.
6. Unable to tolerate enteral medications.
7. Hematology/Oncology patients.
8. Parents/legal guardians unable to consent.
9. Participation in another clinical study presently or within the last 30 days
10. Pregnancy
11. Prisoners
12. Patient undergoing nuss procedure with cryoablation

About the study

The primary objective of this study is to determine if the peri and post operative use of gabapentin in children reduces the need for narcotics after thoracic surgery.

We hypothesize that patients who are given gabapentin will need fewer morphine equivalents postoperatively than those who were not given gabapentin

What is being tested

Gabapentin (drug)
Placebo (other)

Sponsor: University of California, Davis · Participants: 60 · Started: Aug 23, 2021

Contact the study team

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT04724252

Locations in the U.S.

California

UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento

Conditions

Pain After Surgery

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Oct 2, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.