Gabapentin (Gb) is increasingly used in postoperative pain management. We surveyed 85 NESCRS (New England Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons) members by email (August-October 2024). Of the 32 responses (38% response rate), 28 were included: 68% were colorectal surgeons, 18% were advanced practice providers, 39% were female, 46% were aged 31-50 years, and 68% were White. Commonly prescribed analgesics were opioids (96%), acetaminophen (93%), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (68%), and Gb (57%). Providers believed Gb reduced opioid use (75%), provided analgesia (54%), and decreased ileus (39%), length of stay (21%), and delirium (4%). Experienced providers more often reported that Gb’s benefits outweighed its risks (69%), reduced postoperative opioid use (46%), or that they were confident in managing Gb-related adverse effects (38%), compared with 63, 18, or 27%, respectively (p-value=1.00,0.21, or 0.67). Overall, colorectal providers acknowledge Gb’s potential benefits and associated risks as a postoperative analgesic.

Ashna Rajan is an assistant professor at University of Kentucky, Hospital Medicine, USA engaging in clinical research with focus on delirium in geriatric population. She completed her medical school at Chengalpattu Medical College, India and moved to the USA for residency training. She is geriatric medicine and palliative care medicine trained. She has over 30 publications in renowned journals including Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Rhode Island Medical Journal, Journal of Cell communication and signal, etc. She is in active member of special interest groups of the American Geriatrics Society and the Gerontological Society of America.