Use of low-dose pregabalin in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Pregabalin versus Gabapentin Efficacy in the Management of Neuropathic Pain Associated with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is a common long-term complication following spine surgeries characterized by chronic persistent pain; different strategies of management were employed to deal with it. This clinical trial aims to compare the efficacy of Pregabalin and Gabapentin in the management of this condition.

METHODS

A double-blind, randomized, comparative study (clinical trial registry NCT05324761 on 11th April 2022) with two parallel arms with Pregabalin and Gabapentin were used in arms one and two, respectively. Visual analog scale was used for basal and endpoint assessment of pain. T-test and analysis of covariance were used to deal with different variables. A pairwise test was used to compare pairs of means.

RESULTS

Of 66 patients referred to the trial, 64 were eligible, with 60 patients completing the 30 days trial. Both pregabalin and gabapentin effectively reduce pain, with significant p-values of 0.001 for each group. However, the pregabalin group was superior to gabapentin in pain reduction (p=0.001). Gender was an insignificant factor (p=0.574 and p=0.445 for the pregabalin and gabapentin groups, respectively, with a non-significant reduction (p=0.393) for both groups in total. Location of stenosis before surgery and type of surgery performed show non-significant effect on pain reduction for both groups.

CONCLUSION

Both pregabalin and gabapentin effectively and safely relieve neuropathic pain associated with FBSS; pregabalin was significantly more effective irrespective of the patients' gender.

Comparison of electronic versus phone-based administration of the Quality of Recovery-40 survey after ambulatory surgery

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Studies that track patient-centered outcomes are better suited to evaluate the relative benefits and harms of an intervention in ambulatory surgery as severe morbidity and mortality have become increasingly rare. This pilot study aimed to assess for differences in response rate and survey scores for phone-based and electronic administration of the Quality of Recovery-40 (QoR-40) survey in patients undergoing general anesthesia for ambulatory surgery.

DESIGN

A single-center prospective observational study.

SETTING

Yale New Haven Hospital (September 22-November 2, 2021).

PATIENTS

100 consecutive patients undergoing ambulatory surgery under general anesthesia.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were randomized to receive QoR-40 surveys via email or phone.

MEASUREMENTS

The QoR-40 survey is a 40-item questionnaire that provides a global score across five dimensions: patient support, comfort, emotions, physical independence, and pain. The primary outcome was the response rate following the administration of the QoR-40 survey on postoperative days 1, 2, and 7. The secondary outcome was the mean QoR-40 score during the study period.

MAIN RESULTS

A total of 109 patients consented to participate and 100 patients were randomized in this study. A total of 76%, 72%, and 68% of patients completed the survey on POD 1, 2, and 7, respectively. There were no differences in the response rate of patients who completed the survey between phone (78%) versus electronic (74%) administration (difference 4%, 95% confidence interval (CI): -13%, 21%, respectively) on POD 1, 2 (74% vs 70%, difference 4%, 95% CI -14%, 22%, respectively) or 7 (68% vs 68%, difference 0%, 95% CI -18%, 18%, respectively). The mean (standard deviation) QoR-40 score was 176.2 (18.1), 179.8 (19.4), 187.7 (13.1) on POD 1, 2, and 7, respectively. There were no significant differences in the mean QoR-40 scores between groups at any of the time points.

CONCLUSION

The response rate following the electronic administration of the QoR-40 survey did not differ from the phone-based administration during the postoperative period following ambulatory surgery. The use of an electronic version of the survey may allow for larger sample sizes with fewer resources utilized in future interventional studies.

Use of Pregabalin as Preemptive Analgesia for Decreasing Postoperative Pain in Tympanoplasty

Tympanoplasty is a commonly performed surgical procedure done by Otorhinolaryngologist for treatment of chronic suppurative otitis media. Postoperative period requires the use of analgesics which are given regularly. The study aims to assess the efficacy of a single dose of preemptive pregabalin in decreasing postoperative pain after postauricular type 1 tympanoplasty. This randomized prospective study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital between July 2017 and April 2018. A total of 60 patients were divided into two groups of 30 each. This study analyzed the effect of single preoperative use of pregabalin 150 mg oral 1 h before type 1 postauricular tympanoplasty for postoperative pain as a VAS (visual analogue scale) score and requirement of rescue analgesia and results were compared with the placebo group. Pain scores (VAS score) was significantly lower in the pregabalin group as compared to the placebo group at 6, 12, 24, and at 48 h. Rescue analgesia requirements were also lower in the pregabalin group than the placebo group. Preemptive use of a single dose of oral 150 mg pregabalin reduces postoperative pain and rescue analgesic requirement in patients undergoing type 1 tympanoplasty.

Enhanced recovery strategies after penile implantation: a narrative review

Optimizing pain management strategies in penile implantation has historically been a challenge to urologists assuming care of patients post-operatively. In addition to the complex pathophysiology of male genital pain, the responsibility of opioid stewardship in the face of the ongoing narcotics epidemic presents its own set of challenges to experienced implanters. Recent innovations in pre- and intra-operative analgesia have provided some improvement in patient-reported pain outcomes. When used together in protocols spanning each phase of operative care, multimodal analgesia (MMA) regimens provide superior patient pain control and successfully decrease opioid usage compared to traditional opioid-based pain control. This review will systematically present literature that discusses interventions in the preoperative and intraoperative spaces aimed at optimally controlling pain. We will also highlight surgical techniques that have been demonstrated to help ameliorate post-operative pain in penile implant recipients. We will discuss the impact of MMA protocols across urology and further explore its larger impact on reducing opioid burden in the ongoing epidemic.

Premedication with pregabalin 150mg versus 300mg for postoperative pain relief after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background and Aims

Pregabalin has been used in various studies for postoperative pain relief in varying doses. However, there is no conclusive evidence to support a safe and effective dose of pregabalin. The present study was designed to compare the efficacy of two different preoperative doses of pregabalin (150 mg and 300mg) in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy for postoperative pain relief.

Material and Methods

Ninety adult patients of either sex with American Society of Anesthesiologist physical status I and II scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia were randomized to receive pregabalin 150mg (group A), pregabalin 300mg (group B), or placebo (group C) orally 1 h before surgery. The pain was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) and a verbal rating scale (VRS) for the initial 24 h postoperatively. The primary outcome of our study was the comparative assessment of the severity of pain in the postoperative period in three groups. Postoperative analgesic consumption and incidence of side effects were assessed as secondary outcome measures.

Results

VAS score was significantly more in group C than group A and B (P-value <0.05). The total amount of fentanyl required in 24 h was least in group B (228.33 ± 42.41μg) followed by group A (292.50 ± 46.49μg) and group C (322.50 ± 39.58μg) (P-value 0.0001). The incidence of sedation, dizziness, and visual disturbances was more in group B as compared to group A and was least in group C.

Conclusions

Pregabalin 150 mg is effective in decreasing postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy with fewer incidences of adverse effects such as sedation and visual disturbances as compared to pregabalin 300 mg.

The effect of preemptive use of pregabalin on postoperative morphine consumption and analgesia levels after laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a controlled randomized trial

PURPOSE

In order to reduce postoperative opioid administration and pain levels in patients submitted to laparoscopic colectomy, we assessed the efficacy of preemptive use of pregabalin (PG), as part of a multimodal analgesia scheme, in a randomized controlled trial setting.

METHODS

Overall, fifty adult patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic colectomy were included and randomized in our trial. In the experimental group, 23 patients received preoperatively 2 doses of 150 mg PG per os, whereas the control group consisted of 27 cases, where a matching to PG placebo was administered at the same scheme. The two groups had identical analgesia and anesthesia regimens otherwise. Our study endpoints included postoperative morphine consumption, postoperative pain, and complication rates.

RESULTS

Patients in the PG group displayed a significantly reduced morphine consumption at 8 h, 24 h, and 48 h postoperatively. The two groups were comparable in terms of postoperative pain (rest and movement assessment) and side effects.

CONCLUSIONS

The preoperative addition of PG resulted in a significant reduction of the postoperative opioid consumption in patients undergoing laparoscopic colectomy. However, an association with the postoperative pain scores was not identified.

Influence of pregabalin on post-operative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Background:

Pregabalin may have some potential in reducing post-operative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, the results remain controversial. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the influence of pregabalin on post-operative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Materials and Methods:

PubMed, Embase, Web of science, EBSCO and Cochrane Library databases have been systematically searched. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of pregabalin versus placebo on post-operative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy are included. The primary outcomes are pain scores at 8–12 h and 20–24 h. Secondary outcomes include sedation score, intraoperative fentanyl requirement, post-operative analgesic requirement, operative duration, post-operative nausea and vomiting, as well as respiratory depression. This meta-analysis is performed using the random-effect model.

Results:

Eight RCTs involving 528 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control intervention after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, pregabalin treatment is found to significantly reduce pain scores at 20–24 h (Standard Mean difference [Std. MD] = −0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI] = −0.82–−0.10), and post-operative analgesic requirement (Std. MD = −2.64; 95% CI = −3.94–−1.33), but cannot substantially decrease pain scores at 8–12 h (Std. MD = −0.71; 95% CI = −1.70–0.27). In addition, pregabalin results in improved sedation score (Std. MD = 0.92; 95% CI = 0.55–1.29), but has no remarkable influence on intraoperative fentanyl requirement (Std. MD = 0.04; 95% CI = −0.30–0.39), operative duration (Std. MD = 0.34; 95% CI = −0.10–0.77), post-operative nausea and vomiting (Std. MD = 0.79; 95% CI = 0.59–1.11) as well as respiratory depression (Std. MD = 0.71; 95% CI = 0.17–3.02).

Conclusions:

Compared to control intervention after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, pregabalin treatment can significantly decrease pain scores at 20–24 h and post-operative analgesic requirement, with no increase in adverse events.

A comparative study on the prophylactic effects of paracetamol and dexmedetomidine for controlling hemodynamics during surgery and postoperative pain in patients with laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Today, the ever-expanding technology is inevitably shadowing on all aspects of human life. This study was aimed to compare the prophylactic effects of paracetamol and dexmedetomidine for controlling hemodynamics during surgery and postoperative pain.

METHODS

The study population consisted of 132 patients aged 18 to 70 years and from both genders, who were candidates for emergency cholecystectomy or elective surgery. Group A consisted of 66 patients who received dexmedetomidine, and Group B included 66 patients with paracetamol administration. The amount of postoperative pain was measured on the basis of visual analog scale, arterial blood pressure, as well as heart rate at recovery and 4, 12, and 24 hours after surgery.

RESULTS

The mean age in the 2 groups was similar and almost equal to 52 years; there was no difference in the sex ratios in both groups (P > .05). Pain score in the paracetamol group was significantly lower than that in the dexmedetomidine group (P = .04); nevertheless, there were no group differences in the mean scores of pain during these hours (P > .05). The median opioid use in 24 hours after operation in the paracetamol group was lower when compared with that in the dexmedetomidine group, and the mean duration of analgesia in the paracetamol group was higher when comparing with dexmedetomidine group. Furthermore, in both groups, mean arterial pressure and preoperative PR interval were similar at various times.

CONCLUSION

The findings demonstrated that both regimens of drugs can control the hemodynamic status of patients during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which provides effective postoperative analgesia for pain management.

Comprehensive Acute Pain Management in the Perioperative Surgical Home

The careful coordination of care throughout the perioperative continuum offered by the perioperative surgical home (PSH) is important in the treatment of postoperative pain. Physician anesthesiologists have expertise in acute pain management, pharmacology, and regional and neuraxial anesthetic techniques, making them ideal leaders for managing perioperative analgesia within the PSH. Severe postoperative pain is one of many patient- and surgery-specific factors in the development of chronic postsurgical pain. Delivering adequate perioperative analgesia is important to avoid this development, to decrease perioperative morbidity, and to improve patient satisfaction.

Current methods and challenges for acute pain clinical trials

This article reviews current methods and challenges and provides recommendations for future design and conduct of clinical trials of interventions to treat acute pain.

Introduction:

The clinical setting of acute pain has provided some of the first approaches for the development of analgesic clinical trial methods.

Objectives:

This article reviews current methods and challenges and provides recommendations for future design and conduct of clinical trials of interventions to treat acute pain.

Conclusion:

Growing knowledge about important diverse patient factors as well as varying pain responses to different acute pain conditions and surgical procedures has highlighted several emerging needs for acute pain trials. These include development of early-phase trial designs that minimize variability and thereby enhance assay sensitivity, minimization of bias through blinding and randomization to treatment allocation, and measurement of clinically relevant outcomes such as movement-evoked pain. However, further improvements are needed, in particular for the development of trial methods that focus on treating complex patients at high risk of severe acute pain.

Effect of Pregabalin Premedication on Emergence Agitation in Children after Sevoflurane Anesthesia: A Randomized Controlled Study

Background:

Emergence agitation (EA) is common in pediatrics after sevoflurane anesthesia.

Aims:

We intended to study the effect of preoperative pregabalin on EA in pediatrics after sevoflurane anesthesia.

Settings and Design:

This study design was a prospective randomized controlled double-blinded study.

Patients and Methods:

Sixty children with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Classes I–II, aged 4–10 years, prepared for adenotonsillectomy under sevoflurane anesthesia were randomized to two equal groups (control Group C and pregabalin Group P). Children received either placebo syrup (Group C) or pregabalin syrup 1.5 mg/kg (Group P) ½ h preoperatively. We recorded postoperative EA scale (EAS) (10, 20, and 30 min postoperatively), time to open the eye, time to extubate, postanesthesia care unit (PACU) duration of stay, number of paracetamol doses (15 mg/kg) given (to control postoperative pain), and complications as vomiting and dizziness on discharge.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Independent sample t-test and Chi-square test were used as appropriate.

Results:

Pregabalin Group P showed less EAS, less analgesic (paracetamol) requirement, and less vomiting with insignificant effects on time to open the eye or extubation and PACU duration of stay compared to control group.

Conclusion:

Preoperative pregabalin decreased postoperative EAS, analgesic (paracetamol) requirement, and vomiting in pediatrics after adenotonsillectomy using sevoflurane anesthesia without affecting time to open the eye or extubation and PACU duration of stay.

Oral pregabalin for acute pain relief after cervicofacial surgery: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this systematic review were to unify criteria on the effectiveness of oral pregabalin to treat acute post-operative pain after cervicofacial surgery, to establish the most effective dose regimens, and to determine its effect on rescue medicine consumption and its association with adverse effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PubMed/Medline (National Library of Medicine, Washington, DC), Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were searched for studies in any language published between January 2000 and September 2016. The following question was posed, in accordance with PRISMA guidelines: Is oral pregabalin effective and safe for the relief of acute pain after cervicofacial surgery? The critical reading of the literature utilized a list of questions prepared by the CASPe Network, applying the Jadad scale for evaluation of the methodological quality of trials.

RESULTS

Eleven randomized controlled clinical trials were selected. The 11 trials obtained a score ≥ 3, considered as Ib evidence level and high quality. A single oral dose of 75-mg pregabalin before or after cervicofacial surgery alleviates pain and lessens the need for rescue analgesia consumption, while the statistical significance of these effects is higher with a single dose of 150-mg pregabalin, either before or after the surgery.

CONCLUSION

Oral pregabalin appears to significantly alleviate post-operative pain and reduce rescue analgesia consumption, with no severe adverse effects. However, the ideal dose and most effective administration regimen remain controversial issues that need to be addressed in further high-quality clinical trials.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

These findings suggest that pregabalin may be useful for acute pain relief after cervicofacial surgery.

Low doses of amitriptyline, pregabalin, and gabapentin are preferred for management of neuropathic pain in India: is there a need for revisiting dosing recommendations?

Background

Current therapy for the treatment of neuropathic pain is often unsatisfactory. Considerable variation in treatment pattern still exists in spite of availability of sufficient literature from various guidelines. Recent Indian market data suggested that the utilization (sale) of drugs such as amitriptyline, pregabalin, and gabapentin was more for low-dose unit packs than that of the high-dose unit packs, raising the belief that these drugs are prescribed at a lower dose than is actually recommended in the guidelines. To test this hypothesis, a survey was conducted across speciality throughout the country to observe the prescription pattern of these drugs amongst the health care providers in India.

Methods

Three hundred fifty survey forms were distributed of which 281 forms were included for analysis.

Results

It was observed that the commonly used initiation and maintenance dose for amitriptyline, pregabalin, and gabapentin was 5–10 mg/day, 50–75 mg/day, and 100–300 mg/day, respectively. The reason to select the lower dosages was to have a balancing effect to achieve good efficacy with minimum side effects. Care-givers reported no side effects/not many side effects as a reason in 22.2%, 16.88%, and 23.86% patients with amitriptyline, pregabalin, and gabapentin, respectively. Sedation and giddiness were commonly reported with all three drugs.

Conclusions

Commonly prescribed drugs for management of neuropathic pain, such as amitriptyline, pregabalin, and gabapentin are preferred at lower doses in Indian clinical settings. Acceptable efficacy and low tolerance to the standard dosage is believed to be the reason behind the prescribed dose.

The Effect of Preoperative Pregabalin on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting: A Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Nonopioid adjuvant medications are increasingly included among perioperative Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols. Preoperative pregabalin has been shown to improve postoperative pain and limit reliance on opioid analgesia. Our group investigated the ability of preoperative pregabalin to also prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).

METHODS

Our group performed a meta-analysis of randomized trials that report outcomes on the effect of preoperative pregabalin on PONV endpoints in patients undergoing general anesthesia.

RESULTS

Among all included trials (23 trials; n = 1693), preoperative pregabalin was associated with a significant reduction in PONV (risk ratio [RR] = 0.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39-0.73; P = 0.0001), nausea (RR = 0.62; 95% CI, 0.46-0.83; P = 0.002), and vomiting (RR = 0.68; 95% CI, 0.52-0.88; P = 0.003) at 24 hours. Subgroup analysis designed to account for major PONV confounders, including the exclusion trials with repeat dosing, thiopental induction, nitrous oxide maintenance, and prophylactic antiemetics and including high-risk surgery, resulted in similar antiemetic efficacy. Preoperative pregabalin is also associated with significantly increased rates of postoperative visual disturbance (RR = 3.11; 95% CI, 1.34-7.21; P = 0.008) compared with a control.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative pregabalin is associated with significant reduction of PONV and should not only be considered as part of a multimodal approach to postoperative analgesia but also for prevention of PONV.

Pregabalin can decrease acute pain and morphine consumption in laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Pregabalin has been used as an adjunct for the management of acute pain in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This meta-analysis aimed to illustrate the efficacy and safety of pregabalin for pain management following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

METHODS

In March 2017, a systematic computer-based search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Google databases. Data on patients prepared for laparoscopic cholecystectomy in studies that compared pregabalin versus placebo were retrieved. The primary endpoints were the visual analog scale (VAS) score with rest or mobilization at 6, 12, and 24 hours and total morphine consumption. The secondary outcomes were the morphine-related complications (i.e., nausea, vomiting, dizziness, somnolence, headache, pruritus, urine retention, respiratory depression, and blurred vision). Continuous outcomes were expressed as the weighted mean difference (WMD) with a corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI), and discontinuous outcomes were expressed as a risk ratio (RR) with a corresponding 95% CI.

RESULTS

Twelve clinical studies with 938 patients (gabapentin group = 536, control group = 402) were ultimately included in the meta-analysis. Pregabalin was associated with reduced pain scores with rest at 6, 12, and 24 hours, which corresponded to a reduction of 11.27 points at 6 hours, 9.46 points at 12 hours, and 3.99 points at 24 hours on a 100-point VAS. Moreover, pregabalin was associated with reduced pain scores with mobilization at 6, 12, and 24 hours, which corresponded to a reduction of 8.74 points, 5.80 points and 6.37 points at 6, 12, and 24 hours, respectively, on a 110-point VAS. Furthermore, pregabalin reduced the occurrence of nausea and vomiting. There were no significant differences in the occurrence of respiratory depression, pruritus, dizziness, blurred vision, and headache.

CONCLUSIONS

Pregabalin was efficacious in the reduction of postoperative pain, total morphine consumption, and morphine-related complications following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In addition, a high dose of pregabalin was more effective than a low dose. The dose of pregabalin differed across the studies, and the heterogeneity was large. More studies are needed to verify the optimal dose of pregabalin in laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients.

Techniques to Optimize Multimodal Analgesia in Ambulatory Surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Ambulatory surgery has grown in popularity in recent decades due to the advancement in both surgical and anesthetic techniques resulting in quicker recovery times, fewer complications, higher patient satisfaction, and reduced costs of care. We review common approaches to multimodal analgesia.

RECENT FINDINGS

A multimodal approach can help reduce perioperative opioid requirements and improve patient recovery. Analgesic options may include NSAIDs, acetaminophen, gabapentinoids, corticosteroids, alpha-2 agonists, local anesthetics, and the use of regional anesthesia. We highlight important aspects related to pain management in the ambulatory surgery setting. A coordinated approach is required by the entire healthcare team to help expedite patient recovery and facilitate a resumption of normal activity following surgery. Implementation and development of standardized analgesic protocols will further improve patient care and outcomes.

Preventive Analgesia with Pregabalin in Neuropathic Pain from “Failed Back Surgery Syndrome”: Assessment of Sleep Quality and Disability

OBJECTIVE

Pregabalin group (PGB) is an antiepileptic used to treat neuropathic pain. We evaluated analgesic efficacy and safety for postoperative/chronic pain, disability, and sleep quality in patients who underwent spine surgery administered with PGB, or not, during the presurgical and postsurgical periods.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study of 60 patients (two groups with 30 patients) with full information on 50 (29 with PGB and 21 without PGB). Ten patients were dismissed as information was lacking. The PGB group (P) (29 patients) received 75 mg/12 hours before surgery, 150 mg 10 hours after surgery, and 150 mg/12 hours 3 days after surgery. The control group (C; 21 patients) took no PGB.

METHODS

Neuropathic pain was assessed before surgery, and 2 and 6 months later using visual analog scales (VAS), DN4, disability (Oswestry), and sleep quality. No serious adverse events occurred with PGB.

RESULTS

The median VAS pain score at rest was lower in the PGB group at 2 months postsurgery (1 vs 2, P = 0.032), as was the median DN4 score (0 vs 3, P = 0.032) and the median Oswestry disability index (ODI: 12 vs 18, P = 0.001). At 6 months postsurgery, pain scores were also lower in the PGB group for VAS (0 vs 4, P = 0.001), DN4 score (0 vs 4, P = 0.001) and the ODI (10 vs 24, P = 0.001). Improvement in the functionality and sleep quality of the PGB group was noteworthy (P = 0.018).

CONCLUSIONS

PGB has analgesic/antihyperalgesic effects on postoperative neuropathic pain after surgery for lumbar disc hernia. Our findings show that this benefit increases with time.

Effect of Pregabalin Premedication on the Requirement of Anesthetic and Analgesic Drugs in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Randomized Comparison of Two Doses

Background:

Preoperative medication has a vital role in anesthesia. Pregabalin (PG) is a newer drug of gabapentinoid class and is six times more potent than gabapentin. Our study was designed to evaluate the effect of PG as premedication on the perioperative anesthetic requirement and analgesia.

Materials and Methods:

The study was conducted on ninety patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists Grade I and II of age group 20–60 years, allocated to one of the three groups of thirty patients each. Group I received tablet diazepam 10 mg HS and 5 mg 1 h before surgery, Group II received capsule PG 75 mg HS and 150 mg 1 h before surgery, and Group III received capsule PG 75 mg HS and 300 mg 1 h before surgery. Patients were induced with injection fentanyl citrate, thiopentone sodium, and rocuronium bromide and maintained by 66% N₂O + 33% O₂ gas mixture with sevoflurane and intermittent boluses of fentanyl.

Results:

Perioperative consumption of thiopentone sodium was 5.59 ± 0.49 mg/kg in Group I, 4.29 ± 0.53 mg/kg in Group II, and 4.06 ± 0.59 mg/kg in Group III; fentanyl was 1.55 ± 0.42 μg/kg in Group I, 1.00 ± 0.00 μg/kg in Group II, and 1.05 ± 0.20 μg/kg in Group III; sevoflurane (%) was 1.20 ± 0.31 in Group I, 0.933 ± 0.25 in Group II, and 1.00 ± 0.00 in Group III. Perioperative requirement of thiopentone sodium, opioid, and inhalational agent was significantly less in Group II and III when compared with Group I. Maximum number of patients required postoperative rescue analgesia within 0–2 h of surgery in Group I, 2–4 h of surgery in Group II, and 6–8 h after surgery in Group III. Patients were more comfortable and asleep with a longer pain-free postoperative period in PG groups.

Conclusion:

PG premedication effectively reduced the consumption of all anesthetic agents during induction and maintenance of anesthesia as compared to diazepam. Patient's postoperative comfort and pain-free duration were also greater with PG premedication; more so with PG 300 mg as compared to PG 150 mg.

Gabapentinoids as a Part of Multi-modal Drug Regime for Pain Relief following Laproscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized Study

Background:

Gabapentinoids have been used as preemptive analgesics for pain management following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Recently, multimodal analgesic techniques have been found superior to preemptive analgesia alone.

Aim:

The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare a single preoperative dose of pregabalin 150 mg and gabapentin 300 mg for pain relief following laparoscopic cholecystectomy as a part of multimodal drug regime.

Settings and Design:

This randomized, single-blind study was conducted after Ethical Committee approval and written informed consent from the patients.

Materials and Methods:

Fifty patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia were randomly allocated to receive either 150 mg pregabalin (Group PG), or 300 mg gabapentin (Group GB) orally, 2 h before surgery. Standard anesthesia induction and maintenance were done. For intraoperative pain management, injection fentanyl 2 μg.kg^-1 intravenous (IV) along with injection voveran 75 mg IV and port site infiltration was used. Postoperatively, injection diclofenac 75 mg intramuscular TDS was continued. Severity of postoperative pain (visual analog scale [VAS]), postoperative fentanyl requirement and incidence, and severity of side effects were assessed. When VAS >40 mm or on patient's request, a Fentanyl bolus at an increment of 25–50 μg IV was given as rescue analgesia.

Results:

Intraoperative fentanyl requirement was 135 ± 14 μg in Group PG and 140 ± 14 μg in Group GB (P = 0.21). Postoperative, fentanyl requirement was 123 ± 18 μg in Group PG and 131 ± 23 μg in Group GB (P = 0.17) There was no statistically significant difference in the VAS score for static and dynamic pain. Time to the first requirement of analgesic was 5.4 ± 1.1 h in Group PG and 4.6 ± 1.6 h in Group GB (P = 0.015). No side effects were observed.

Conclusion:

We conclude that a single preoperative dose of pregabalin (150 mg) or gabapentin (300 mg) are equally efficacious in providing pain relief following laparoscopic cholecystectomy as a part of multimodal regime without any side effects.

Pregabalin in Monitored Anesthesia Care for Ear-nose-throat Surgery

Aim:

The aim of this study was to determine intraoperative sedative and perioperative analgesic requirement and associated side effects of pregabalin (150 mg) for monitored anesthesia care during ear-nose-throat (ENT) surgeries.

Materials and Methods:

The study design was randomized and single-blinded; fifty patients undergoing elective ambulatory ENT surgeries under monitored anesthesia care were randomly allocated to receive either placebo (Group P) or pregabalin (Group PG) 150 mg, orally 1 h before surgery. All patients were then given intravenous (i.v.) midazolam 2 mg and fentanyl 1 μg/kg and local anesthesia at the site. Sedation was induced by administering an i.v. bolus of propofol 0.8 mg/kg and was maintained by continuous infusion of propofol. Level of sedation was assessed by Ramsay scale, and propofol infusion was titrated accordingly. Intraoperative pain was assessed by verbal rating scale (VRS) score. Patient having VRS >4 or complaint of pain was given fentanyl (0.5 μg/kg) i.v. bolus. Intraoperative sedative and analgesic requirement were recorded. Postoperative visual analog scale scores and requirement of analgesics were recorded for the first 24 h after surgery. Diclofenac 75 mg intramuscular (i.m.) was administered as rescue analgesic. Side effects (nausea/vomiting, sedation, dizziness, blurred vision) were also recorded.

Results:

Intraoperative propofol (212 ± 11 mg vs. 174 ± 9 mg; P = 0.013) and fentanyl (120 ± 8 μg vs. 94 ± 6 μg; P = 0.02) consumption was significantly lower in Group PG. Time to first analgesic request was longer (6.1 ± 0.4 h vs. 9.5 ± 1.2 h) with lesser requirement of analgesics (diclofenac) in the postoperative period. Incidence of side effects (sedation, nausea, vomiting) was found to be similar in both the groups.

Conclusion:

Premedication with pregabalin (150 mg) reduces intraoperative sedative and perioperative analgesic requirement in patients undergoing ENT surgeries under monitored anesthesia care with tolerable side effects.

Laparoscopic surgery: a narrative review of pharmacotherapy in pain management

Laparoscopic surgery is widespread, and an increasing number of surgeries are performed laparoscopically. Early pain after laparoscopy can be similar or even more severe than that after open surgery. Thus, proactive pain management should be provided. Pain after laparoscopic surgery is derived from multiple origins; therefore, a single agent is seldom sufficient. Pain is most effectively controlled by a multimodal, preventive analgesia approach, such as combining opioids with non-opioid analgesics and local anaesthetics. Wound and port site local anaesthetic injections decrease abdominal wall pain by 1-1.5 units on a 0-10 pain scale. Inflammatory pain and shoulder pain can be controlled by NSAIDs or corticosteroids. In some patient groups, adjuvant drugs, ketamine and α2-adrenergic agonists can be helpful, but evidence on gabapentinoids is conflicting. In the present review, the types of pain that need to be taken into account while planning pain management protocols and the wide range of analgesic options that have been assessed in laparoscopic surgery are critically assessed. Recommendations to the clinician will be made regarding how to manage acute pain and how to prevent persistent postoperative pain. It is important to identify patients at the highest risk for severe and prolonged post-operative pain, and to have a proactive strategy in place for these individuals.

Minimal Clinically Important Difference for Three Quality of Recovery Scales

Background

Several quality of recovery (QoR) health status scales have been developed to quantify the patient’s experience after anesthesia and surgery, but to date, it is unclear what constitutes the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). That is, what minimal change in score would indicate a meaningful change in a patient’s health status?

Methods

The authors enrolled a sequential, unselected cohort of patients recovering from surgery and used three QoR scales (the 9-item QoR score, the 15-item QoR-15, and the 40-item QoR-40) to quantify a patient’s recovery after surgery and anesthesia. The authors compared changes in patient QoR scores with a global rating of change questionnaire using an anchor-based method and three distribution-based methods (0.3 SD, standard error of the measurement, and 5% range). The authors then averaged the change estimates to determine the MCID for each QoR scale.

Results

The authors enrolled 204 patients at the first postoperative visit, and 199 were available for a second interview; a further 24 patients were available at the third interview. The QoR scores improved significantly between the first two interviews. Triangulation of distribution- and anchor-based methods results in an MCID of 0.92, 8.0, and 6.3 for the QoR score, QoR-15, and QoR-40, respectively.

Conclusion

Perioperative interventions that result in a change of 0.9 for the QoR score, 8.0 for the QoR-15, or 6.3 for the QoR-40 signify a clinically important improvement or deterioration.

Analgesic efficacy of pregabalin in acute postmastectomy pain: placebo controlled dose ranging study

STUDY OBJECTIVE

We hypothesized that oral administration of a single dose of pregabalin 2 hours before modified radical mastectomy (MRM) would produce dose-related reduction in postoperative opioid consumption.

DESIGN

Prospective randomized controlled clinical trial.

SETTING

Postanesthesia care unit.

PATIENTS

One hundred twenty adult women scheduled for unilateral (MRM) with axillary evacuation.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were randomized to receive either, placebo capsule, pregabalin 75 mg, pregabalin 150 mg, or pregabalin 300 mg.

MEASUREMENTS

The assessment parameters were the postoperative analgesic effect using visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, the subsequent 24-hour morphine consumption, and the systemic adverse effects of pregabalin doses.

MAIN RESULTS

The VAS score at rest and movement was significantly decreased only in group P300 and group P150 in comparison to group P0 and group P75 at 0 hour (P<.01). The median (interquartile range) consumption of morphine in the first postoperative 24 hours was significantly decreased in group P300 in comparison to group P0 and group P75 (P300 vs P0: 6.5 [5-6.5] vs 20.5 [15.8-20.5] [P<.001]; P300 vs P75: 6.5 [5-6.5] vs 20 [14-20] [P<.001]), but there was no significant difference between group P300 and group P150. In addition, there was a significant decrease in consumption of morphine in group P150 in comparison to group P0 and group P75 (P150 vs P0: 7 [5-7] vs 20.5 [15.8-20.5] [P<.001]; P150 vs P75: 7 [5-7] vs 20 [14-20] [P<.001]). There were statistical significant increase in dizziness and blurred vision in group P300 in comparison to other groups (P<.05).

CONCLUSIONS

A single preoperative oral dose of pregabalin 150 mg is an optimal dose for reducing postoperative pain and morphine consumption in patients undergoing MRM.

Perioperative use of pregabalin for acute pain-a systematic review and meta-analysis

Evidence supporting postoperative pain management using pregabalin as an adjunct intervention across various surgical pain models is lacking. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate "model-specific" comparative effectiveness and harms of pregabalin following a previously published systematic review protocol. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception through August 2013. Data were screened and single extraction with independent verification and dual risk of bias assessment was performed. Quality of evidence (QoE) was rated using the GRADE approach. Primary outcomes were pain relief at rest and on movement and reduction in postoperative analgesic consumption. A total of 1423 records were screened, and 43 studies were included. Perioperative pregabalin resulted in: 16% (95% confidence interval [CI], 9%-21%) reduction in analgesic consumption (moderate QoE, 24 trials) and a small reduction in the magnitude of pain in surgeries associated with pronociceptive pain. Per 1000 patients, 10 more will experience blurred vision (95% CI, 5-20 more; moderate QoE, 17 trials) and 41 more sedation (95% CI, 13-77 more, 17 trials). To prevent 1 case of perioperative nausea and vomiting, the number needed to treat is 11 (95% CI: 7-28, 25 trials). Inadequate evidence addressed outcomes of enhanced recovery and serious harms. Pregabalin analgesic effectiveness is largely restricted to surgical procedures associated with pronociceptive mechanisms. The clinical significance of observed pregabalin benefits must be weighed against the uncertainties about serious harms and enhanced recovery to inform the careful selection of surgical patients. Recommendations for future research are proposed.

Preoperative Gabapentin to Prevent Postoperative Shoulder Pain After Laparoscopic Ovarian Cystectomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

Patients undergoing gynecology laparoscopy frequently experience shoulder pain as a common postoperative complication. Considering diaphragm stimulation in its pathophysiology, there are some advice to prevent or control this special form of referral pain.

OBJECTIVES

The current study aimed to assess the prophylactic effect of preoperative administration of oral gabapentin to prevent Post Laparoscopic Shoulder Pain (PLSP) after laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial 40 female patients who were candidates to have elective laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy, received uniformed capsules containing gabapentin 600 mg or placebo 30 minutes before anesthesia induction. All patients had the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status of I-II and none had pervious abdominal surgery. Thereafter, the presence of side effects and PLSP and its severity was assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) in the beginning of surgery and 2, 6, 12 hours after the surgery.

RESULTS

Comparing the gabapentin (n = 20) and placebo (n = 20) groups, basic characteristics including age (P = 0.446), Body Mass Index (BMI) (P = 0.876), pregnancy history (P = 0.660), and surgery time (P = 0.232) were statistically similar. PLSP occurrence was less frequent in the gabapentin group (45%) compared with the placebo group (75%) (P = 0.053), while In gabapentin group the VAS scores were lower in 2(P = 0.004), 6 (P = 0.132), and 12 (P = 0.036) hours, post operatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Prophylactic gabapentin administration could be considered as an effective and safe intervention to reduce occurrence and severity of PLSP after gynecologic laparoscopic cystectomy.

Oral pregabalin for postoperative pain relief after third molar extraction: a randomized controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this randomized controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pregabalin administered pre- and postoperatively in patients with pain and swelling due to the surgical removal of impacted lower third molars.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The final study sample comprised 60 volunteers (23 males and 37 females). Group 1 (n = 30) received 75 mg oral pregabalin 1 h before surgery and 1 h after surgery. Group 2 (n = 30) served as a control group and received no pregabalin. Both groups were administered with 650 mg paracetamol every 8 h for 2 days. Postoperative pain intensity and swelling were measured using a visual analog scale (VAS); pain relief experienced was reported using a four-point verbal rating scale (VRS); the rescue medication requirement, adverse effects, and global impression of the medication were also recorded.

RESULTS

No significant difference in pain intensity (VAS) was observed between the groups. However, fewer rescue medication tablets were needed by pregabalin-treated patients than by controls (p = 0.021). The frequency and intensity of adverse effects were significantly higher in pregabalin-treated patients (p < 0.001), although no serious adverse events occurred. No significant difference in the degree of swelling was observed in any measurement except that from mandibular angle to lip junction, which showed lesser inflammation in the pregabalin group at 24 h post-surgery (p = 0.011). The global opinion on the medication received was more positive in the pregabalin group (p = 0.042).

CONCLUSIONS

The administration of pregabalin reduces the requirement for rescue medication after third molar surgery and results in a more constant pain level, with fewer peaks of pain intensity.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

These findings suggest that pregabalin may be useful to control acute postoperative pain. Adverse effects are known to be reduced at the low pregabalin dose used in our study.

Comparative study between paracetamol and two different doses of pregabalin on postoperative pain in laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background:

Postoperative pain is the primary reason for prolonged hospital stay after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This study compared the effect of a single oral preoperative administration of paracetamol (1 g) with 2 different doses of pregabalin (150 or 300 mg) for attenuating postoperative pain and analgesic consumption.

Materials and Methods:

Seventy-five patients, aged 18-60 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists’ physical status I and II undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included in this randomized controlled study. Patients were divided into three groups, 25 each to receive either oral paracetamol 1 g (group I, control group) or pregabalin 150 (group II) or 300 mg (group III), 2 h before surgery. Postoperative pain was evaluated based on visual analog scale over a period of 6 h and 1^st time for rescue analgesia. Postoperative sedation, hemodynamic changes, serum cortisol level, and side effects were also evaluated.

Results:

There was a significant decrease in mean heart rate, mean systolic blood pressure, sedation score, pain score, and delayed the first request for analgesics postoperatively in group (II) and group (III) compared to group (I) 2 h postoperatively. There was no significant difference in group (III) compared to group (II) postoperatively. The incidence of postoperative side effects was more in group (III).

Conclusion:

The single oral preoperative dose administration of pregabalin had significant opioid-sparing effect in the first 6 h after surgery, whereas side effects were more common with administration of pregabalin 300 mg.

Efficacy of Pregabalin in Acute Postoperative Pain Under Different Surgical Categories: A Meta-Analysis

The efficacy of pregabalin in acute postsurgical pain has been demonstrated in numerous studies; however, the analgesic efficacy and adverse effects of using pregabalin in various surgical procedures remain uncertain. We aim to assess the postsurgical analgesic efficacy and adverse events after pregabalin administration under different surgical categories using a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.A search of the literature was performed between August 2014 to April 2015, using PubMed, Ovid via EMBASE, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov with no limitation on publication year or language. Studies considered for inclusion were randomized controlled trials, reporting on relevant outcomes (2-, 24-hour pain scores, or 24 hour morphine-equivalent consumption) with treatment with perioperative pregabalin.Seventy-four studies were included. Pregabalin reduced pain scores at 2 hours in all categories: cardiothoracic (Hedge's g and 95%CI, -0.442 [-0.752 to -0.132], P = 0.005), ENT (Hedge g and 95%CI, -0.684 [-1.051 to -0.316], P < 0.0001), gynecologic (Hedge g, 95%CI, -0.792 [-1.235 to -0.350], P < 0.0001), laparoscopic cholecystectomy (Hedge g, 95%CI, -0.600 [-0.989 to -0.210], P = 0.003), orthopedic (Hedge g, 95%CI, -0.507 [-0.812 to -0.202], P = 0.001), spine (Hedge g, 95%CI, -0.972 [-1.537 to -0.407], P = 0.001), and miscellaneous procedures (Hedge g, 95%CI, -1.976 [-2.654 to -1.297], P < 0.0001). Pregabalin reduced 24-hour morphine consumption in gynecologic (Hedge g, 95%CI, -1.085 [-1.582 to -0.441], P = 0.001), laparoscopic cholecystectomy (Hedge g, 95%CI, -0.886 [-1.652 to -0.120], P = 0.023), orthopedic (Hedge g, 95%CI, -0.720 [-1.118 to -0.323], P < 0.0001), spine (Hedge g, 95%CI, -1.016 [-1.732 to -0.300], P = 0.005), and miscellaneous procedures (Hedge g, 95%CI, -1.329 [-2.286 to -0.372], P = 0.006). Pregabalin resulted in significant sedation in all surgical categories except ENT, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and gynecologic procedures. Postoperative nausea and vomiting was only significant after pregabalin in miscellaneous procedures.Analgesic effects and incidence of adverse effects of using pregabalin are not equal in different surgical categories.

Comparative evaluation of dexmedetomidine and esmolol on hemodynamic responses during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

The advent of laparoscopic surgery has benefited the patient and surgeon; however creation of pneumoperitoneum for same has bearings during the perioperative period. These effects of pneumoperitoneum are associated with significant haemodynamic changes, increasing the morbidity of the patient.

AIM

The present study compared the efficacy of dexmedetomidine and esmolol on hemodynamic responses during laparoscopic cholecystectomy Materials and Methods: A total of 90 patients aged 20-60 y, American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II, of either sex, planned for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included. The patients were randomly divided into three groups of 30 each. Group D received dexmedetomidine loading dose 1 mcg/kg over a period of 15 min and maintenance 0.5 mcg/kg/h throughout the pneumoperitoneum. Group E received esmolol loading dose 1 mg/kg over a period of 5 min and maintenance 0.5 mg/kg/h throughout the pneumoperitoneum. Group C received same volume of normal saline.

MEASUREMENTS

Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded preoperative, after study drug, after induction, after intubation, after pneumoperitoneum at 15 min intervals, post pneumoperitoneum and postoperative period after 15 min. Propofol induction dose, intraoperative fentanyl requirement and sedation score were also recorded.

RESULTS

In group D, there was no statistically significant increase in HR and blood pressure after pneumoperitoneum at any time intervals, whereas in Group E, there was a statistical significant increase in MAP after pneumoperitoneum at 15, 45, and 60 min only and HR during the whole pneumoperitoneum period. There was a significant decrease in induction dose of propofol and intraoperative fentanyl requirement in Group D and E, compared to Group C (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Dexmedetomidine is more effective than esmolol for attenuating the hemodynamic response to pneumoperitoneum in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Dexmedetomidine and esmolol also reduced requirements of anaesthetic agents.

Perineural dexamethasone to improve postoperative analgesia with peripheral nerve blocks: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background. The overall effect of perineural dexamethasone on postoperative analgesia outcomes has yet to be quantified. The main objective of this quantitative review was to evaluate the effect of perineural dexamethasone as a nerve block adjunct on postoperative analgesia outcomes. Methods. A systematic search was performed to identify randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effects of perineural dexamethasone as a block adjunct on postoperative pain outcomes in patients receiving regional anesthesia. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effect model. Results. Nine randomized trials with 760 subjects were included. The weighted mean difference (99% CI) of the combined effects favored perineural dexamethasone over control for analgesia duration, 473 (264 to 682) minutes, and motor block duration, 500 (154 to 846) minutes. Postoperative opioid consumption was also reduced in the perineural dexamethasone group compared to control, -8.5 (-12.3 to -4.6) mg of IV morphine equivalents. No significant neurological symptoms could have been attributed to the use of perineural dexamethasone. Conclusions. Perineural dexamethasone improves postoperative pain outcomes when given as an adjunct to brachial plexus blocks. There were no reports of persistent nerve injury attributed to perineural administration of the drug.

Pain management in ambulatory surgery-a review

Day surgery, coming to and leaving the hospital on the same day as surgery as well as ambulatory surgery, leaving hospital within twenty-three hours is increasingly being adopted. There are several potential benefits associated with the avoidance of in-hospital care. Early discharge demands a rapid recovery and low incidence and intensity of surgery and anaesthesia related side-effects; such as pain, nausea and fatigue. Patients must be fit enough and symptom intensity so low that self-care is feasible in order to secure quality of care. Preventive multi-modal analgesia has become the gold standard. Administering paracetamol, NSIADs prior to start of surgery and decreasing the noxious influx by the use of local anaesthetics by peripheral block or infiltration in surgical field prior to incision and at wound closure in combination with intra-operative fast acting opioid analgesics, e.g., remifentanil, have become standard of care. Single preoperative 0.1 mg/kg dose dexamethasone has a combined action, anti-emetic and provides enhanced analgesia. Additional α-2-agonists and/or gabapentin or pregabalin may be used in addition to facilitate the pain management if patients are at risk for more pronounced pain. Paracetamol, NSAIDs and rescue oral opioid is the basic concept for self-care during the first 3–5 days after common day/ambulatory surgical procedures.

[Adding 75 mg pregabalin to analgesic regimen reduces pain scores and opioid consumption in adults following percutaneous nephrolithotomy]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Adding novel adjunctive drugs like gabapentinoids to multimodal analgesic regimen might be reasonable for lessening postoperative pain scores, total opioid consumption and side effects after percutaneous nephrolithotomy. We aimed to evaluate the effect of pregabalin on postoperative pain scores, analgesic consumption and renal functions expressed by creatinine clearance (CrCl) and blood neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and cystatin C (Cys C) levels in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

METHODS

60 patients undergoing elective PCNL were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomized to oral single dose 75 mg pregabalin group and a control group. Visual Analog Scale pain scores (VAS), postoperative intravenous morphine consumption during the first 24 postoperative hours, serum NGAL, Cys C levels and creatinine clearance (CrCl) was measured preoperatively and post-operatively at 2nd and 24th hour.

RESULTS

Postoperative VAS scores were significantly decreased in the pregabalin group at the postoperative 30th min, 1st, and 2nd hour (p = 0.002, p = 0.001 and p = 0.027, respectively). Postoperative mean morphine consumption was statistically significantly decreased for all time intervals in the pregabalin group (p = 0.002, p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups with regard to CrCl, or Cys C at preoperative and postoperative 2nd and 24th hour. Postoperative 24th hour NGAL levels were significantly decreased in the pregabalin group (p = 0.027).

CONCLUSIONS

Oral single-dose preemptive 75 mg pregabalin was effective in reducing early postoperative pain scores and total analgesic consumption in patients undergoing PCNL without leading to hemodynamic instability and side effects.

Pharmacological interventions for prevention or treatment of postoperative pain in people undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

While laparoscopic cholecystectomy is generally considered less painful than open surgery, pain is one of the important reasons for delayed discharge after day-surgery and overnight stay following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The safety and effectiveness of different pharmacological interventions such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, and anticonvulsant analgesics in people undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy is unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the benefits and harms of different analgesics in people undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation Index Expanded, and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform portal (WHO ICTRP) to March 2013 to identify randomised clinical trials of relevance to this review.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We considered only randomised clinical trials (irrespective of language, blinding, or publication status) comparing different pharmacological interventions with no intervention or inactive controls for outcomes related to benefit in this review. We considered comparative non-randomised studies with regards to treatment-related harms. We also considered trials that compared one class of drug with another class of drug for this review.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors collected the data independently. We analysed the data with both fixed-effect and random-effects models using Review Manager 5 analysis. For each outcome, we calculated the risk ratio (RR) or mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

MAIN RESULTS

We included 25 trials with 2505 participants randomised to the different pharmacological agents and inactive controls. All the trials were at unclear risk of bias. Most trials included only low anaesthetic risk people undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Participants were allowed to take additional analgesics as required in 24 of the trials. The pharmacological interventions in all the included trials were aimed at preventing pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. There were considerable differences in the pharmacological agents used and the methods of administration. The estimated effects of the intervention on the proportion of participants who were discharged as day-surgery, the length of hospital stay, or the time taken to return to work were imprecise in all the comparisons in which these outcomes were reported (very low quality evidence). There was no mortality in any of the groups in the two trials that reported mortality (183 participants, very low quality evidence). Differences in serious morbidity outcomes between the groups were imprecise across all the comparisons (very low quality evidence). None of the trials reported patient quality of life or time taken to return to normal activity. The pain at 4 to 8 hours was generally reduced by about 1 to 2 cm on the visual analogue scale of 1 to 10 cm in the comparisons involving the different pharmacological agents and inactive controls (low or very low quality evidence). The pain at 9 to 24 hours was generally reduced by about 0.5 cm (a modest reduction) on the visual analogue scale of 1 to 10 cm in the comparisons involving the different pharmacological agents and inactive controls (low or very low quality evidence).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is evidence of very low quality that different pharmacological agents including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioid analgesics, and anticonvulsant analgesics reduce pain scores in people at low anaesthetic risk undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, the decision to use these drugs has to weigh the clinically small reduction in pain against uncertain evidence of serious adverse events associated with many of these agents. Further randomised clinical trials of low risk of systematic and random errors are necessary. Such trials should include important clinical outcomes such as quality of life and time to return to work in their assessment.