Clinical study evaluating pregabalin efficacy and tolerability for pain management in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of pregabalin in postoperative pain management after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective, randomized, placebo, controlled, double-blinded study was conducted at Anesthesia Department, Laparoscopy Surgery Unit, Ain Shams University Hospital. Ninety patients with ASA physical status I-II scheduled for elective LC under general anesthesia were included. Patients were randomly assigned to the following groups (n=30 each): pregabalin group (P), received 150 mg pregabalin capsules 2 hours preoperatively, 12 hours postoperatively, and twice daily for 2 days; gabapentin group (G), received 1200 mg gabapentin capsules (400 mg, ×3) 2 hours preoperatively, 12 hours postoperatively, and 400 mg three times daily for 2 days; and control group (C), received placebo capsules. Postoperative pain scores were recorded on a visual analogue scale. The following data were recorded: total daily pethidine and diclofenac consumption, numeric sedation score, and the postoperative nausea, vomiting, and dizziness scores.

RESULTS: The 24-hour pethidine consumption was significantly lower (P<0.001) in both pregabalin and gabapentin groups versus control. Both groups had significantly less (P<0.001) patients with postoperative nausea, vomiting, sedation, and dizziness versus control. Overall patient satisfaction with pain management was significantly higher (P<0.001) in pregabalin group versus gabapentin or control groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Gabapentin 1200 mg and pregabalin 150 mg are effective and safe analgesics for reducing postoperative pain in LC. The perioperative oral administration of pregabalin 150 mg in patients undergoing LC is an effective and safe method of analgesia with a low incidence of adverse effects and reduces postoperative pethidine consumption.