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 b .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 b .001]; P300 vs P75: 6.5 [5-6.5] vs 20 [14-20] [P b .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 b .001]; P150 vs P75: 7 [5-7] vs 20 [14-20] [P b .001]). There were statistical significant increase in dizziness
and blurred vision in group P300 in comparison to other groups (P b .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.
© 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.