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Sumatriptan improves postoperative quality of recovery and reduces postcraniotomy headache after cranial nerve decompression

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Created On: 14/10/2019

Sumatriptan improves postoperative quality of recovery and reduces postcraniotomy headache after cranial nerve decompression

Microvascular decompression (MVD) is a surgical treatment for cranial nerve disorders via a small craniotomy.

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Key take away

Migraine is the condition which has entangled a large number of population. Researcher have tried many pain killers to get rid of it, but sumatriptan has been the most successful drug so far. Sumatriptan falls under the triptan class of drugs which is beneficial in dealing with different headaches as well as migraine. It has emerged to be a very potent analgesic for postcraniotomy headache as shown in this study.

Background

Microvascular decompression (MVD) is a surgical treatment for cranial nerve disorders via a small craniotomy. The postoperative pain of this procedure can be classified as surgical site somatic pain and postcraniotomy headache similar in nature to a migraine, including its association with photophobia, nausea, and vomiting. This headache can be difficult to treat and can impact on postoperative recovery. Sumatriptan is used to treat migraine-like headaches in various settings. This single-centre randomized controlled trial investigated whether postoperative administration of sumatriptan after MVD surgery impacts the quality of postoperative recovery.

Method

Fifty patients who complained of postoperative headache after MVD were randomized to receive an S.C. injection of sumatriptan (6 mg) or saline. The primary outcome was quality of recovery as measured by the Quality of Recovery-40 (QoR-40) score at 24 h.

Result

The QoR-40 scores were significantly higher in the sumatriptan group (median 184; interquartile range 169–196) than in the placebo group (133; 119–155; P<0.01), suggesting higher quality of recovery. The sumatriptan group also had significantly lower headache scores at 4, 12, and 24 h. There were no significant differences in other secondary outcomes.

Conclusion

Use of sumatriptan improved the quality of recovery as measured by the QoR-40 and reduction of headache at 24 h after surgery. Sumatriptan is a useful alternative treatment for postcraniotomy headache. The mechanism remains unknown but could be related to reduction in headache, mood modulation, or both, mediated by a serotonin effect.