Abstract :
Background: Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant, structural analogue of Gamma Amino Butyric Acid (GABA) and is very much efficient in the management of neuropathic pain and incisional injury.
Objectives: The aim of this research is to evaluate the efficacy of preoperative administration of pregabalin on postoperative analgesic requirement in subjects undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy under spinal anaesthesia.
Materials and Methods: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 129 patients undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy under spinal anaesthesia, divided in three groups (placebo group, 75 mg of pregabalin and 150 mg of pregabalin) of 43 patients each. Pre-operative Ramsay sedation scale was noted and post-operative VAS score for pain at rest and on cough at 30 minutes, 1hr, 2 hrs, 6 hrs, 12 hrs and 24 hrs post operatively was noted. Time for requirement of rescue analgesics on post-operative day one was assessed.
Results: The post operative pain scores reduced with the dose of pregabalin. Sleep score also was significantly better as the dose of pregabalin increases. The need for rescue analgesia decreased with the dose of pregabalin. As the dose increases, the side effects Dizziness, Nausea and vomiting also increases.
Conclusion: Pregabalin has been found to reduce the post operative pain effectively, reduces the need and dose for rescue analgesia and improves the post operative sleep pattern. The side effects are high for a dose of 300 mg. Therefore 150 mg of pregabalin is advocated for better pain management and sleep pattern.
Keyword :
Dizziness, Pregabalin, Rescue analgesia, Total abdominal hysterectomy, VAS scores.