Evaluation of analgesic efficacy of pregabalin for postoperative pain relief after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a double blind study

Abstract

Objective: Postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the prevailing complaint and the primary reason for delayed discharge. Several studies have demonstrated the role of pregabalin in the postoperative pain management. However, there are limited studies, which evaluated the role of preoperative pregabalin in attenuating postoperative pain after LC. So, the present study was designed to evaluate the effect of a single oral dose of pregabalin to reduce postoperative pain and analgesic consumption after LC.

Methodology: The design of study was prospective, randomized and double blind in a tertiary-care hospital. Sixty consenting patients were randomly allocated into two group of thirty each to receive either a matching alprazolam 0.5 mg (placebo) or pregabalin 150 mg, orally 2 hours before surgery in a double-blind manner. The parameters assessed were; postoperative pain by VAS score, total analgesic consumption, hemodynamic parameters, sedation level, nausea and vomiting and dizziness at 0, 2, 4, 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours. Overall patient satisfaction with pain management was also assessed as a secondary outcome.

Results: Postoperative VAS scores for pain were reduced in pregabalin group; at 0, 2, 4 hours (p < 001) and 6, 12, 18 and 24 hours (p < 0.05). Analgesic consumption was also reduced in the study group (68.83 ± 37.36 vs. 175.87 ± 35.31, p < 0.001). The frequency of nausea and vomiting (p < 0.05 – < 0.001) was reduced in pregabalin group compared with placebo. The preoperative anxiety; postoperative hemodynamic parameters, and sedation scores were comparable in both of the groups. The patients in pregabalin group were more satisfied with overall pain management.

Conclusion: The results of our study show that a single dose of pregabalin 150 mg can effectively attenuate postoperative pain and reduce tramadol requirement as well as nausea and vomiting, without any untoward side-effects, and with higher satisfaction level of the patients.