A double-blind, randomized controlled trial of gabapentin vs. placebo for acute pain management in critically ill patients with rib fractures

40 patients with one or more rib fractures were randomized to the addition of either gabapentin 300mg or placebo three times daily to a mutlimodal analgesia protocol. Patients were primarily assessed for analgesic outcomes over the first 7 days of treatment, including pain scores and narcotic consumption. Results on these measures demonstrated no significant differences between groups on any day. In addition, data on incentive spirometry during hospitalization, and general and disease-specific quality of life at 1 month follow-up, demonstrated no significant differences between groups. No cases of pneumonia or respiratory failure were noted in either group.