Comparative study of single dose pre-emptive pregabalin vs. Placebo for post-operative pain relief in middle ear surgery

Objectives: The present study was designed to evaluate effect of Pregabalin on pain scores and analgesic requirements in middle ear surgeries. Methods: ASA physical status I-III adults scheduled for elective middle ear surgery under general anesthesia were taken for study. Postoperative pain severity was assessed using VAS. Two study groups were designed. Group P (Study Group) received oral Pregabalin capsule (150 mg) while Group   C (Control group) received oral placebo capsule one hour before surgery. The primary outcome was pain score in the recovery unit and patients were followed for 24 hours. Results: Pain scores were significantly lower in pregabalin group as compared to placebo group especially after 1 and 4 hours. More number of patients was sedated in pregabalin group compared to placebo. Conclusions: It can be concluded from our study that single dose preoperative pregabalin improves analgesia in early postoperative period and reduces analgesic consumption but with increased sedation without respiratory depression.